Court condemns Britain for retaining innocents’ DNA

AFP
Thursday, December4, 2008

The European human rights court condemned Britain Thursday for not destroying DNA samples of two people found innocent of offences of which they were accused, including an 11-year-old boy.

In a unanimous Grand Chamber judgement the court said the right to the private and family life of the plaintiffs had been violated.

The 11-year-old had been acquitted of theft, while prosecutors dropped the case against a man of 38 accused of harassing his partner three months after he was charged.

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Authorities refused their demand to have their DNA samples and fingerprints destroyed.

In a swift reaction Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was “disappointed” with the Strasbourg ruling, adding that the existing law would remain while ministers considered the judgement.

“DNA and fingerprinting is vital to the fight against crime, providing the police with more than 3,500 matches a month, and I am disappointed by the European Court of Human Rights’ decision,” she said.

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