McDowell seeks to 'maximise' use of DNA database

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell wants the new DNA database to be more comprehensive than the one envisaged by the Law Reform Commission (LRC).

The commission, in its final report on the establishment of a largely criminal database, concluded DNA samples, or profiles, should only be retained indefinitely for those sentenced to five years or more in prison.

But Rory Brady SC, Attorney General, commended the LRC on its report and said the use of the DNA sample must be constrained.