News
University experts supports DNA use review
Experts from the University’s Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science have contributed to a major report looking at the future of forensic science in the criminal justice system.
Published on 27 February 2025
The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner has called on Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority to review procedures for recording the ethnicity of citizens when it collects their DNA or other biometric data following arrest.
The Commissioner, Dr Brian Plastow, has stated in a new report that a failure by Police Scotland to suitably record the ethnicity of those it retains DNA for is ‘concerning’.
Biometric data can include DNA, fingerprints, photographs, video, and voice recordings.
Publicly available information on the UK’s National DNA Database (NDNAD) allows observers to see if any ethnic group is over-represented when it comes to their DNA being taken and stored to help solve serious crimes.
But no details about a person’s ethnicity are recorded on the Scottish DNA Database (SDNAD).
Dr Plastow says properly recording such information, would support Police Scotland’s equality duties and help maintain public confidence and trust.
The recommendation for Police Scotland to review its ethnicity recording procedures was one of seven made after the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner conducted a joint assurance review with the Scottish Police Authority and the LRCFS of the acquisition, retention, use and destruction of DNA for criminal justice and police purposes in Scotland.
His review report noted that while DNA helps solve only a small number of crimes in Scotland each year, these are likely to be the most serious types of crime.
The full report can be read on the Scottish Biometric Commissioner’s website.
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