[off-topic] Cops refuse to give DNA samples

[Richard Lamont]

This is off-topic, but it does illustrate the breathtaking
hypocrisy of many policemen and their ilk in relation to privacy
and human rights.

>From the Stafford Chronicle (a local freesheet), Friday 2nd June
2000:

--------------------------------8<-------------------------------
COPS COOL ON SCHEME

Just four Staffordshire police officers have so far volunteered
to take part in a county-wide project to record the genetic
fingerprints of members of the force, a serving officer has
claimed.

In April, the force announced it would be allocated cash to
participate in the scheme to help eliminate from inquiries
officers who innocently contaminate crime scenes.

But a serving officer, who did not want to be named, has told
The Chronicle that many of his colleagues feel the database
logging of their DNA code is an affront to their human rights.

He said men in the ranks felt disgusted that the budget for
logging the DNA details of criminals was shrinking while the
Home Office was "wasting" money on this project.

And he revealed just four officers had volunteered to take part
in the scheme.

He commented: "Why should we - it's a violation of our human
rights and people are showing their opposition by refusing to
volunteer."

The problem has not just hit Staffordshire's unrivalled genetic
police department but has been prevalent across the country.

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: "The key objective is
to create a data base of 1,300 officers and civilian staff who
are likely to be the first at a crime scene.

"These include police surgeons, pathologists, scenes of crime
officers, senior CID officers and others on the sharp end of
police work."

The scheme, she said, was still in its very early stages.

She stressed that money for it would come from the Home Office
and not the Staffordshire force's budget.

In April, the force's scientific support manager Andy Kirby,
said: "If a scenes of crime officer sneezes or coughs at a
scene, then having their DNA on the elimination database will
save time trying to work out whether the traces are from an
offender."
--------------------------------8<-------------------------------

-- 

Richard Lamont
richard@stonix.demon.co.uk
http://www.stonix.demon.co.uk/