Governance and ethical oversight Professor Graeme Laurie

1. Governance and ethical oversight Professor Graeme Laurie Director, AHRC Research Centre for Studies in Intellectual Property and Technology University of Edinburgh

2. DNA Database: current situation • Custodian Unit safeguards the integrity of the Database and develops policy • The Database Strategy Board: • Home Office • Association of Chief Police Officers • Association of Police Authorities • Human Genetics Commission • New Gov proposals: Ethics Group and Forensic Services Regulator

3. Proposed governance framework

4. Criticisms of Gov proposals • Lack of transparency • Issues of influence and control • Questions of independence • Concerns about accountability and trust

5. New Ethics Group • Remit and influence unclear • We recommend development of a ethics and governance framework on: • remit • relationship with Strategy Board • responsibilities for reporting publicly and handling complaints • powers • maintenance of independence

6. Removing DNA from the Database • Records are removed in ‘exceptional cases’ under discretion of Chief Constable • If current system of retaining DNA remains, we recommend: • public guidelines on how to apply to have records removed • police to justify need for retention • independent body to oversee requests

7. International exchange • EC wants direct, online access to DNA databases across Europe • The Prüm Treaty proposed for exchange of information across EU • We recommend: • safeguards to protect sensitive information on the UK DNA Database being shared with other countries • provisions in Prüm Treaty to ensure its operation is properly monitored

8. The future: new legislation? • Current legislation for forensic use of bioinformation is piecemeal • Need to think about future possibilities and challenges • We recommend: • a statutory basis for the regulation of forensic databases • a greater commitment to openness and transparency