STUFF : NATIONAL NEWS - STORY : New Zealand's leading news and information website: "Worst criminals' DNA on file
28 June 2004
By SUE ALLEN
The DNA of more than 700 of New Zealand's worst criminals is now on police file after a law change in April.
Since the Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Act came into force on April 15, police have mounted a push to collect samples from criminals before they come up for release.
The law change means police can now collect DNA from criminals who were sentenced to more than seven years in prison before 1996. The revised legislation also covers compulsory sampling of burglars. This means the DNA of some of the most serious offenders will now be held on file. "
