Internationalising New Technologies of Crime Control: Forensic DNA Databasing and Datasharing in the European Union

Paul Johnson; Robin Williams

doi:10.1080/10439460701302669

Internationalising New Technologies of Crime Control: Forensic DNA Databasing and Datasharing in the European Union

Paul Johnson, Robin Williams

Sociology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The use of DNA profiling in support of criminal investigations by police forces across the world has expanded remarkably during the last decade. The effectiveness of the world's first national DNA database—the National DNA Database of England & Wales—has subsequently influenced both police and legislative authorities in many other criminal jurisdictions to establish (or seek to establish) equivalent databases. The automated comparison of DNA profiles obtained from scenes of crime with those obtained from individuals suspected of involvement in criminal activities is regarded by many observers as the most important development in investigative technology since the adoption of fingerprint comparison early in the last century. This paper describes some recent and significant efforts to influence both the growth of national DNA databases, and also to extend the exchange of genetic information in support of trans-national policing. Some of the legal, policy and ethical issues that arise from these efforts are outlined and discussed.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	103-118
Number of pages	16
Journal	Policing and Society
Volume	17
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/10439460701302669
Publication status	Published - 2007

Keywords

Biometrics
Criminal investigations
Trans-national policing

Access to Document

10.1080/10439460701302669

Cite this

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title = "Internationalising New Technologies of Crime Control: Forensic DNA Databasing and Datasharing in the European Union",

abstract = "The use of DNA profiling in support of criminal investigations by police forces across the world has expanded remarkably during the last decade. The effectiveness of the world's first national DNA database—the National DNA Database of England & Wales—has subsequently influenced both police and legislative authorities in many other criminal jurisdictions to establish (or seek to establish) equivalent databases. The automated comparison of DNA profiles obtained from scenes of crime with those obtained from individuals suspected of involvement in criminal activities is regarded by many observers as the most important development in investigative technology since the adoption of fingerprint comparison early in the last century. This paper describes some recent and significant efforts to influence both the growth of national DNA databases, and also to extend the exchange of genetic information in support of trans-national policing. Some of the legal, policy and ethical issues that arise from these efforts are outlined and discussed.",

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AB - The use of DNA profiling in support of criminal investigations by police forces across the world has expanded remarkably during the last decade. The effectiveness of the world's first national DNA database—the National DNA Database of England & Wales—has subsequently influenced both police and legislative authorities in many other criminal jurisdictions to establish (or seek to establish) equivalent databases. The automated comparison of DNA profiles obtained from scenes of crime with those obtained from individuals suspected of involvement in criminal activities is regarded by many observers as the most important development in investigative technology since the adoption of fingerprint comparison early in the last century. This paper describes some recent and significant efforts to influence both the growth of national DNA databases, and also to extend the exchange of genetic information in support of trans-national policing. Some of the legal, policy and ethical issues that arise from these efforts are outlined and discussed.

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