http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=106482006
Murdo MacLeod
"A huge row has erupted south of the Border after it emerged English police are holding the details of 24,000 young people on their DNA database despite none of them having criminal convictions. Scotland on Sunday can reveal that following a consultation exercise, the Scottish Executive is determined to allow police north of the Border the right to keep the DNA profiles of people they arrested but who were not subsequently convicted.
Under present rules, DNA samples can only be permanently added to the database in the event of a conviction.
Ministers want to fall into line with the English system, under which chief constables have the discretion to keep DNA data regardless of the court outcome. Police say holding on to the information has helped solve thousands of crimes. "
