Removal of DNA samples, and backup records from the NDNAD

Paul Honigmann made this Freedom of Information request to National Policing Improvement Agency

The request was successful.

From: Paul Honigmann

29 November 2009

Dear Sir or Madam,

The NDNAD is based on physical samples of DNA taken from suspects,
volunteers etc. From time to time people are taken off the
database. In these cases, the official documents concerned always
seem to refer to the profiles being removed, but not the
destruction of the original DNA sample; nor do they reference what
happened to profiles stored in backups of the NDNAD. Therefore,

1. Can you confirm that when a profile is removed, the profile is
also removed from backups?

2. Is the profile removed permanently, or ever restored from
backups or samples or off-site copies at suppliers?

3. Can you confirm that ALL of the DNA samples are also destroyed?
If so please describe the procedure(s) involved and attach a sample
of the forms used to audit this. (This procedure may vary as I
understand some DNA samples are held by commercial firms on behalf
of the NPIA for a small annual fee).

Yours faithfully,

Paul Honigmann

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David Mery left an annotation (30 November 2009)

You'll find some answers to 1/ and 2/ in a request I made some time ago:
http://gizmonaut.net/foia/2008-12-12_NPI... (The question was quoted in the annual report: http://gizmonaut.net/blog/uk/2009/10/ndn... :-)

The NPIA is in charge of the NDNAD, private labs keep the samples (and hence are pushing for samples to be retained).

For the Met, when the decision has been taken, SCD12 informs all the departments concerned and wait for confirmation before informing the individual. I could not find a detailed process, it seems very ad hoc (see http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/17/... for a few more notes on this). See http://gizmonaut.net/bits/suspect.html#D... for how one is informed.

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From: NPIA FOI Team
National Policing Improvement Agency

30 November 2009

Dear Mr Honigmann

Thank you for your recent request for information, about Removal of DNA samples and backup records from the NDNAD, dated 29th November 2009.

Your request was received on 29th November 2009 and I am dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

We have logged your request which is receiving our attention. Your request reference number is 46988.

Please quote this reference number in any further correspondence or call relating to this enquiry.

Further information about the NPIA is routinely published on our website at www.npia.police.uk or through our publication scheme. If you require any further assistance in connection with this request please contact us at our address below.

Regards

NPIA FOI TEAM
National Policing Improvement Agency

Email: [NPIA request email]
Website: www.npia.police.uk

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From: NPIA FOI Team
National Policing Improvement Agency

23 December 2009

Attachment Final Response 46988.pdf
252K Download View as HTML

Attachment Request for Removal of Records Non Recordable.pdf
32K Download View as HTML

Attachment Request for Removal of Records Recordable.pdf
31K Download View as HTML

Attachment Request for the removal and destruction of DNA samples taken from individuals under 10 years of age CJ PACE and volunteer samples.pdf
33K Download View as HTML

Dear Mr Honigman

Please find attached the NPIA's response to your request.

Regards

NPIA FOI TEAM
National Policing Improvement Agency

Email: [NPIA request email]
Website: www.npia.police.uk

Think of the environment - do you really need to print this e-mail?

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From: Paul Honigmann

27 December 2009

Dear NPIA FOI Team,

thank you for the comprehensive, precise, and interesting response
to my FOI request.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Honigmann

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