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A bad idea in my view. Often people commit crimes but aren't found guilty. If their DNA is kept on the database there's more chance of catching them in the future.
Personally I think we should have a nationwide DNA data base. Current adults should provide a sample when they get a new passport, all babies should have a sample taken at birth and all immigrants etc should be tested when they arrive ro when they start to claim benefits.

My initial thoughts are that I'd support a DNA database too, but we all know how prevalent mission creep and incompetence is where databases are concerned...

Not only that, you know it'll wind up costing 3 times the amount quoted, and probably wind up being some sort of PFI scheme or contracted out to complete and utter numpties

It'll all end up on a data stick anyway, on a train.

And it will be heavily abused by anyone with a junior council position (I assume by this point council workers will have the right to put phone taps on us without reason).

You can keep your sodding hands of my DNA. I don't recall giving HMG permission to take it.

I have not committed any crimes, nor am I suspected of any. I see no reason for my DNA to be harvested and stored by the State.

By all means keep the DNA of convicted violent offenders, but no-one else should be kept on the database indefinitely.

This is completely contrary to the basic principles that the justice system is built upon. It is basically saying "OK you didn't commit this crime but at some time in the future you will commit a crime and at that point we will use the evidence we have gathered now to convict you"
This is not how our system works. We have this idea 'innocent until proven guilty'. We also have the idea that you cannot accuse someone of a crime (and gather evidence from them, including DNA) unless you have reasonable cause and unless they have been made aware you're doing it and the crime they have been accused of, under the principle that you can't defend yourself against an accusation you don't know about.

It may be convenient but it is wrong. And all the claptrap about "well if we don't do this you may have the death of a child on your conscience" doesn't change the fact it is wrong. The choice isn't between one person getting away with a crime or nothing, it's the choice between one person getting away with a crime or all of us living in a state which doesn't give a damn about the rights and privacies of it's citizens.

Jon

Ah, but have you seen your Pre-Crime Profile? Well, no, of course, you wouldn't be allowed to know of its existence would you.

I disagree with a national DNA database too.

One of my biggest fears is walking down a dark alley at night, realising there's someone behind me, turn round to find it's an identical copy of me standing there who then shoots me, I die and my copy takes over my life.

judge dredd fan O_O

Um no.. ... never watched Judge Dredd or read the comics. I guess my fear is something that happens in the Judge Dredd Universe?

The Sixth Day?

It's funny that Scotland manages so well without keeping people on the DNA database very long.
I'm sure the police would love it, it would make it so much easier to do less police work.

The danger with a national DND database is, as other have said, mission creep or even outright commercial exploitation.
Insurance companies anyone? We would offer you insurance but it appears your going to die in about three weeks so no.