Force use of commercial genealogy/DNA testing sites

The request was refused by Northamptonshire Police.

Dear Northamptonshire Police,

I am writing to request information regarding your force’s use of commercial genealogy/DNA testing platforms.

I am asking for the following information:

Does your force use commercial genealogy/DNA testing platforms to cross-reference DNA samples collected from crime scenes and/or suspects against DNA data uploaded to these sites by members of the public?



a) If so, which commercial genealogy platforms does your force use for this purpose? Please provide the names of any sites.

b) In how many cases has your force used commercial genealogy/DNA testing platforms to cross-reference suspect DNA since April 2018?

c) Please can you provide a breakdown of the offence type for each case in which commercial genealogy/DNA testing platforms were used since April 2018.

d) In how many cases has the use of of such platforms led to a conviction since April 2018?

Please do advise if the request needs to be refined for you to be able to answer it.

Yours faithfully,

Ella Hill

Freedom of Information,

1 Attachment

Dear Ms Hill,

 

RE: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION  Our Ref:
001788/20

 

With reference to your e-mail received 19/03/2020 requesting information:

 

I am writing to request information regarding your force’s use of
commercial genealogy/DNA testing platforms.

 

I am asking for the following information:

 

Does your force use commercial genealogy/DNA testing platforms to
cross-reference DNA samples collected from crime scenes and/or suspects
against DNA data uploaded to these sites by members of the public?

 

a) If so, which commercial genealogy platforms does your force use for
this purpose? Please provide the names of any sites.

 

b) In how many cases has your force used commercial genealogy/DNA testing
platforms to cross-reference suspect DNA since April 2018?

 

c) Please can you provide a breakdown of the offence type for each case in
which commercial genealogy/DNA testing platforms were used since April
2018.

 

d) In how many cases has the use of of such platforms led to a conviction
since April 2018?

 

Although every effort will be made to ensure a response is provided within
statutory deadlines, due to current circumstances delays may be
unavoidable.  We apologise for any inconvenience and will endeavour to
process your request as quickly as is practicable.

 

If you wish to discuss this any further then please contact the
undersigned.

 

Northamptonshire Police provides a review and appeals procedure within the
terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. If you decide to make an
appeal and, having followed the full process you are still dissatisfied,
you will then have the right to direct your comments to the Information
Commissioner who will give due consideration to the matter. See Appendix
'a' attached.

 

Northamptonshire Police routinely publish information on our website via
the Publication Scheme. The aim of the Publication Scheme is to promote
openness and transparency by voluntarily placing information into the
public arena.

The Disclosure Log contains copies of information that have been disclosed
by Northamptonshire Police in response to requests made under the Freedom
of Information Act 2000. Whilst it is not possible to publish all
responses we will endeavour to publish those where we feel that the
information disclosed is in the wider public interest. The Disclosure Log
will be updated once responses have been sent to the requester.

 

I have provided the relevant link below.

 

[1]https://www.northants.police.uk/foi-ai/a...

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

C0080 Amanda-Jayne USHER

Freedom of Information Officer | Force Information Unit | Professional
Standards Department

 

Tel : 101 | Ext. 341172 (If calling from outside of Northamptonshire,
please call 03000 111 222)

Address : Force Headquarters | Wootton Hall | Wootton Hall Park |
Northampton | NN4 0JQ

 

Northamptonshire Police – Fighting crime, protecting people

 

The content of this email should be treated as OFFICIAL - SENSITIVE unless
otherwise indicated

 

 

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Freedom of Information,

2 Attachments

Dear Ms Hill,   

 

RE: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Our Ref:
001788/20

 

With reference to your e-mail received 18/03/2020 requesting information
as reproduced below:

 

Freedom of Information request - Force use of commercial genealogy/DNA
testing sites

 

I am writing to request information regarding your force’s use of
commercial genealogy/DNA testing platforms.

 

I am asking for the following information:

 

Does your force use commercial genealogy/DNA testing platforms to
cross-reference DNA samples collected from crime scenes and/or suspects
against DNA data uploaded to these sites by members of the public?

 

a) If so, which commercial genealogy platforms does your force use for
this purpose? Please provide the names of any sites.

 

b) In how many cases has your force used commercial genealogy/DNA testing
platforms to cross-reference suspect DNA since April 2018?

 

c) Please can you provide a breakdown of the offence type for each case in
which commercial genealogy/DNA testing platforms were used since April
2018.

 

d) In how many cases has the use of of such platforms led to a conviction
since April 2018?

 

Please do advise if the request needs to be refined for you to be able to
answer it.

 

Please see Northamptonshire Police’s response in the attached document.

 

I trust you find this information to be satisfactory but if you have any
further queries please do not hesitate to contact me. On behalf of
Northamptonshire Police I would like to apologise for the delay in getting
this information to you.

 

Northamptonshire Police provides a review and appeals procedure within the
terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. If you decide to make an
appeal and, having followed the full process you are still dissatisfied,
you will then have the right to direct your comments to the Information
Commissioner who will give due consideration to the matter. See Appendix
'A' attached.

 

Yours sincerely

 

PC 700 BAGNIUK

Freedom of Information Officer | Force Information Unit | Professional
Standards Department

 

Tel : 101 | Ext. 341172 (If calling from outside of Northamptonshire,
please call 03000 111 222)

Address : Force Headquarters | Wootton Hall | Wootton Hall Park |
Northampton | NN4 0JQ

 

Northamptonshire Police – Fighting crime, protecting people

 

The content of this email should be treated as OFFICIAL - SENSITIVE unless
otherwise indicated

 

show quoted sections