SNP fighting DNA retention reforms

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

The Scottish National Party (SNP) is expected to fight off an attempt by Labour MSPs to change Scotland's DNA retention model.

Labour wants to change the rules so that Scottish police can keep DNA data from those suspected of violent or sexual crimes as long as police forces in England and Wales.

In Scotland, those arrested for violent or sexual crimes have their DNA samples retained for three years even if they are not convicted. But the new rules introduced for English and Welsh forces mean they can store the same data for six years before having to delete it.

Labour's proposal to amend the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill is expected to have strong opposition from the SNP, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.

The Scottish Justice Committee is expected to consider the amendment before the end of April.

A Scottish government spokesman said current Scottish practice has been praised by the European Court of Human Rights, which found the English practice unacceptable.