Police to keep DNA samples
26 May 06
MSPs vote for extension of time limits to three and five years
Police forces will be allowed to keep DNA evidence from those found not guilty of violent or sexual offences.
MSPs gave the go-ahead for the controversial scheme last night. It will mean the retention of DNA samples from suspects of violent or sexual offences for up to five years, and three years for those not found guilty in the courts.
Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said the move would help police forces, while Paul Martin, the Glasgow Springburn MSP who was behind the proposal, said retaining samples would protect the civil rights of victims. Keeping details of the accused in this way, he argued, would protect victims if cases collapsed.
SNP and Conservative MSPs argued against the move, saying it was a contravention of human rights. The Conservative convener of the justice 2 committee, David Davidson, said a basic tenet of Scots law was the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.