The number and proportion of recorded crimes detected in which a DNA match was available is shown in table 1. Data on the number of crimes detected with a DNA match are not collected on a monthly basis; and the figures are therefore presented by year. The figures provided are for the years 2002-03 to 2007-08, as the recorded crime figures before and after 2002-03 are not directly comparable.
The figures for the number of crimes detected in which a DNA match was available only include crimes detected in which a DNA match was reported by the National DNA Database (NDNAD). They do not include DNA matches which arise through case work in serious crime, which usually involve comparing DNA profiles in a forensic laboratory; this data is not collected centrally. It is also important to note that the detections are achieved through integrated criminal investigation, not through DNA alone.
The presentation of crimes detected with DNA as a proportion of total recorded crime undervalues the relative contribution of DNA to the crime detection rate. It should be noted that the majority of recorded crimes do not have a crime scene (for example, minor assault, drugs offences, theft, fraud etc.) and do not have a crime scene examination. In 2007-08, just over 854,000 crimes had a crime scene examination (17 per cent. of recorded crimes). In those crimes which have a crime scene examination, some do not yield any forensic material (DNA or fingerprints). In 2007-08, potential DNA material was collected at 102,400 crimes; and of these, 41,800 crimes yielded DNA crime scene samples of sufficient quantity and quality for profiling and loading to the NDNAD. Of the 41,800 crimes in which a crime scene sample profile was loaded, a match was generated in 37,375 crimes (this represents 89 per cent. of crimes where DNA material was loaded to the NDNAD).
The proportion of ‘crimes detected in which a DNA match was available’, of those, ‘crimes where potential DNA material was collected’ is shown in table 2.
Detected crimes in which a DNA match was available (‘DNA detections’) Additional detections arising from the DNA match1 Total detected crimes in which a DNA match was available or played a part Total recorded crime2 Proportion of ‘total crimes detected in which a DNA match was available or played a part’ of total recorded crime (Percentage) 2002-03 21,098 12,717 33,815 5,974,960 0.57 2003-04 20,489 15,899 36,388 6,013,759 0.61 2004-05 19,873 15,732 35,605 5,637,511 0.63 2005-06 20,349 19,960 40,309 5,555,174 0.73 2006-07 19,949 21,199 41,148 5,427,559 0.76 2007-08 17,614 15,420 33,034 4,950,671 0.67 1 Additional detections may result from the original crime with the DNA match due to the identification of further offences through forensic linkage or through admission by the offender. 2 The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in 2002-03 and figures before and after that date are not directly comparable.
Detected crimes in which a DNA match was available (‘DNA detections’) Additional detections arising from the DNA match1 Total detected crimes in which a DNA match was available or played a part Crimes where potential DNA material collected Proportion of ‘crimes detected in which a DNA match was available’ of ‘crimes where potential DNA material collected’ (Percentage) 2002-03 21,098 12,717 33,815 101,458 33.33 2003-04 20,489 15,899 36,388 104,983 34.66 2004-05 19,873 15,732 35,605 109,051 32.65 2005-06 20,349 19,960 40,309 113,025 35.66 2006-07 19,949 21,199 41,148 112,448 36.59 2007-08 17,614 15,420 33,034 102,434 32.25 1 Additional detections may result from the original crime with the DNA match due to the identification of further offences through forensic linkage or through admission by the offender.
(2) how many people have asked to have their profile removed from the national DNA database; and how many requests have been refused.
Information held on the National DNA Database (NDNAD) is available on the basis of the police force which added the DNA profile, not the local authority area. For a breakdown of the NDNAD by police force and ethnicity, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green(Lynne Featherstone) on 27 October 2008, Official Report, columns 677-9W.
A breakdown of the NDNAD by sex, as at 30 September 2008, is given in the table. 'Unassigned' means that the police officer who took the sample did not record the individual's sex. The number of profiles is not the same as the number of individuals. This is because a number of subject profiles on the NDNAD are replicates, that is, a profile for a person has been loaded to the NDNAD on more than one occasion. This may arise for a number of reasons, such as a person giving a different name on different occasions they are arrested, or because of the upgrading of profiles. It is estimated that 13.3 per cent. of the subject profiles held on the NDNAD are replicates.
In relation to the number of people who have requested the removal of their record from the NDNAD, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 2 July 2008, Official Report, columns 909-10W.
Sex Subject Profiles Estimated Individuals Male 3,941,233 3,417,049 Female 1,029,873 892,900 Unassigned 38,841 33,675 Total 5,009,947 4,343,624
Information held on the national DNA database (NDNAD) is recorded on the basis of the police force which took the DNA sample. Thus figures for any particular police force include residents from outside the force area arrested and sampled by the police force, and exclude residents in the force area who were arrested and sampled by police forces elsewhere.
The number of profiles is not the same as the number of individuals. This is because a number of subject profiles on the NDNAD are replicates, that is a profile for a person has been loaded to the NDNAD on more than one occasion. This may arise for a number of reasons, such as a person giving a different name on different occasions they are arrested, or because of upgrading of profiles. It is estimated that 13.3 per cent. of the subject profiles held on the entire NDNAD are replicates. However, this rate may vary between police forces, so figures for the number of individuals are not given for particular police forces.
Ethnicity is recorded on the basis of the judgment of the police officer taking the sample as to which of six broad ethnic appearance categories the person belongs to. ‘Unknown’ means that no ethnic appearance information was recorded by the officer taking the sample.
Force Ethnic appearance Subject profiles retained at 17 November 2008 Cheshire Unknown 3,161 Asian 942 Black 928 Chinese, Japanese or SE Asian 313 Middle Eastern 290 White—North European 78,695 White—South European 787 Total 85,116 Cumbria Unknown 1,628 Asian 248 Black 178 Chinese, Japanese or SE Asian 112 Middle Eastern 34 White—North European 46,621 White—South European 193 Total 49,014 Greater Manchester Unknown 7,535 Asian 18,259 Black 14,786 Chinese, Japanese or SE Asian 1,555 Middle Eastern 1,910 White—North European 213,983 White—South European 3,379 Total 261,407 Lancashire Unknown 18,904 Asian 8,025 Black 1,640 Chinese, Japanese or SE Asian 236 Middle Eastern 257 White—North European 120,983 White—South European 1,131 Total 151,176 Merseyside Unknown 9,469 Asian 1,101 Black 3,584 Chinese, Japanese or SE Asian 614 Middle Eastern 781 White—North European 123,341 White—South European 1,447 Total 140,337