More than 3000 DNA samples taken by Tayside Police have been submitted to the national database in the past 18 months.
In response to a freedom of information request, Tayside Police said 3057 samples were submitted to the database held by the Scottish Police Services Authority between January 1 last year and July 4 this year.
The force was unable to provide information on how many of the suspects from whom samples had been taken were later found to be innocent of any crime, as the process of investigating the circumstances of each individual case would cost more than the maximum £600.
However, it revealed that orders were given to remove 1549 Tayside DNA profiles from the database between January 2 last year and June 30 this year.
“The removal of Scottish DNA data is covered by legislation and, in layman’s terms, DNA profiles can be retained for as long as the case for which samples were taken is active, and until a conviction is obtained,” said a Tayside Police spokesman.
“Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland guidelines suggest officers obtain samples from arrested/detained persons in all relevant cases until a ‘convicted’ profile is recorded on the Criminal History System. This, therefore, frequently results in recidivist criminals having more than one profile on the database, and once a conviction for that individual is received, all other profiles for that person are removed.
“Accordingly, one person can account for multi-removals in a month, not because they were subsequently found to be innocent of any crime, but were in fact convicted of an unrelated crime.
“Likewise, a percentage of DNA data removals relate to juvenile offenders who have appeared before the Reporter to the Children’s Panel, and whilst such appearances are recognised as a court disposal, they are not recognised as a court conviction therefore the DNA profiles in such cases must be removed, although they do not match the criteria of innocent.
“It should also be noted that Tayside Police has limited control over the numbers of profiles requiring removal from the database, as the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1995 requires profiles, samples and data to be removed following a decision by the procurator fiscal not to proceed with a case or when the case results in any disposal other than a guilty verdict.
“Therefore Children’s Hearing findings, no proceedings, not guilty, not proven, fixed penalty notices and warning disposals under current legislative provision have to be removed.”