The DNA database in Northern Ireland
The law on DNA collection and retention is the same in Northern Ireland as in England and Wales, but there was a delay in implementing police powers due to lack of accreditation of Northern Ireland's DNA testing laboratory.
Retained DNA records are exported to the National DNA Database in England, as well as being stored in Northern Ireland.
The UK Government used an executive order to implement collection of DNA routinely on arrest in Northern Ireland in 2004, whilst the Assembly was suspended. This provision was not voted for by any Northern Ireland MP.
Policing powers were devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2010. The Northern Ireland Justice Minister announced a consultation into plans to delete innocent people's DNA records in March 2011.
Resources
- GeneWatch briefings
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GeneWatch UK response to the Department of Justice's consultation on proposals to amend the legislation governing the retention of DNA and fingerprints in Northern Ireland
20th July 2020
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GeneWatch UK comments on Northern Ireland's Criminal Justice Bill (August 2012)
30th August 2012
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GeneWatch submission to Northern Ireland DNA consultation (7th June 2011)
6th June 2011
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Briefing for the Northern Ireland Policing Board: Police Retention of DNA from Northern Ireland
31st May 2007
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GeneWatch UK response to the Department of Justice's consultation on proposals to amend the legislation governing the retention of DNA and fingerprints in Northern Ireland
- Press releases
- Press articles
- BBC: PSNI to publish DNA retention policy after human rights case (9th January 2019)
- BBC: DNA samples copied and held for Troubles investigations (5th August 2015)
- Police Professional: PSNI DNA retention lawful (14th May 2015)
- The Detail: Genetic profile of 123,000 people on NI's DNA database (14th January 2015)
- BBC Northern Ireland: Police allowed to keep convicts' DNA samples forever (13th November 2012)
- BBC: DNA records retention challenged in Belfast test case (12th October 2012)
- Belfast Telegraph: Police face DNA data wipeout (16th March 2011)
- Belfast Telegraph: PSNI criticised over DNA database (2nd February 2011)
- External links
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Criminal Justice Bill: Final Stage (8th April 2013)
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Report on the Criminal Justice Bill ( NIA10/11-15) (13th December 2012)
- Second Stage: Criminal Justice Bill (3rd July 2012)
- Criminal Justice Bill: First Stage (25th June 2012)
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Forensic Science Services (Private Members' Debate) (24th October 2011)
- Committee on the Administration of Justice: Response to the Department of Justice's DNA database consultation (2011)
- NICCY: Commissioner urges caution on DNA and fingerprint proposals (22nd June 2011)
- Response from the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People to Consultation on Proposals for the Retention and Destruction of Fingerprints and DNA in Northern Ireland (June 2011).
- Law Society of Northern Ireland: Response to consultation
- Children's Law Centre: Response to the Independent Youth Justice Review Team's Review of Youth Justice in Northern Ireland (March 2011)
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Consultation on proposals for the retention and destruction of fingerprints and DNA in Northern Ireland (March 2011)
The deadline for responses is 7th June.
- NI Press Release: Justice Minister David Ford has today proposed changes to the law in relation to the retention of fingerprints and DNA (15th March 2011)
- Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: Response to Home Office DNA consultation (2009)
- Committee on the Administration of Justice (Northern Ireland): Submission to the Home Office DNA consultation (2009)