To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests have been received from other nations for details from the national DNA database concerning people who were added to the database when they were under 18 years and not charged or cautioned with any offence. (79025)

Requests for the exchange of DNA information between the United Kingdom and other countries are usually made through the United Kingdom National Central Bureau for Interpol (UK NCB) based at the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). Other requests may be made as a result of bi-lateral direct liaison between law enforcement authorities; and formal mutual legal assistance channels.

We understand from SOCA that it has not received any requests from other countries for details from the National DNA Database concerning people who had a DNA sample taken and added to the database when they were under 18 years of age and who were not charged or cautioned with any offence. No data are available on the number, if any, of exchanges of DNA information in such cases which occur through direct liaison between law enforcement authorities or formal mutual legal assistance channels.