Law reform body backs planned DNA database

The Law Reform Commission has backed Government plans to introduce a DNA database for use in criminal investigations and court cases.

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has already published legislation paving the way for such a database, describing it as an important tool in the fight against crime.

The Law Reform Commission has now backed this stance, saying a limited database should be established containing the DNA of convicted and suspected criminals, as well as samples from crime scenes.

Where a suspect provides a sample, it should be removed from the database if the person is not subsequently convicted of any offence.

The Law Reform Commission has also backed Mr McDowell's plans to allow gardaí to take DNA from suspects without their consent.