Governance and ethical oversight Professor Graeme Laurie Director, AHRC Research Centre for Studies in Intellectual Property and Technology University of Edinburgh

DNA Database: current situation Custodian Unit safeguards the integrity of the Database and develops policy The Database Strategy Board: –Home Office –Association of Chief Police Officers –Association of Police Authorities –Human Genetics Commission New Gov proposals: Ethics Group and Forensic Services Regulator

Proposed governance framework

Criticisms of Gov proposals Lack of transparency Issues of influence and control Questions of independence Concerns about accountability and trust

New Ethics Group Remit and influence unclear We recommend development of a ethics and governance framework on: –remit –relationship with Strategy Board –responsibilities for reporting publicly and handling complaints –powers –maintenance of independence

Removing DNA from the Database Records are removed in ‘exceptional cases’ under discretion of Chief Constable If current system of retaining DNA remains, we recommend: –public guidelines on how to apply to have records removed –police to justify need for retention –independent body to oversee requests

International exchange EC wants direct, online access to DNA databases across Europe The Prüm Treaty proposed for exchange of information across EU We recommend: –safeguards to protect sensitive information on the UK DNA Database being shared with other countries –provisions in Prüm Treaty to ensure its operation is properly monitored

The future: new legislation? Current legislation for forensic use of bioinformation is piecemeal Need to think about future possibilities and challenges We recommend: –a statutory basis for the regulation of forensic databases –a greater commitment to openness and transparency