3/4 of young black men on DNA database

**frostyboy** · 25th-November-2009

From Taiwan News:

3/4 of young black men on DNA database

As many as three quarters of all black men in Britain aged 18-35
have had their genetic information placed on the country's
massive DNA database, a group charged with reviewing officials'
use of genetic technology said Tuesday.

The Human Genetics Commission _ an independent government
advisory board made up of scientists, lawyers and other experts
said young black males were "very highly over-represented" on
the DNA register and could be unfairly stigmatized by being
placed on the database in such large numbers.

"My breath was slightly taken away by that figure," commission chairman Jonathan Montgomery said in a telephone interview. "We know young black men are much more likely to be arrested than others, and putting them on the DNA database magnifies the impact," he said. "If the arrest pattern is discriminatory, this makes it even worse."

Britain has one of the largest DNA databases in the world, with profiles of over 5 million people, or 8 percent of the population. Seven percent of those on the register are black, according to government figures _ even though only about 2 percent of the population of England and Wales is black.

Montgomery said his commission's figures came from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, a government body that has estimated that about a third of all black men _ and 75 percent of all young black men _ are on the national register.

Last month, security minister Alan West acknowledged that the overrepresentation of blacks and other minorities on the database was worrying, but said that "our initial look at this makes us feel that this is to do with the fact that in the criminal justice system as a whole there is overrepresentation of black people."

"It is not because of a problem with the DNA database itself," he told lawmakers.

Montgomery's commission said police should stop taking DNA samples from every person who is arrested, arguing that decisions on whether DNA samples are taken should be based in part on the seriousness of the offense and the circumstances of the arrest.

British officials had planned to keep genetic information of innocent people indefinitely, but the European Court of Human Rights ruled unanimously last year that keeping such information on innocent people forever violated their right to privacy, forcing the British government to modify its practices.

New guidelines announced earlier this month call for the DNA profiles of most innocent people be purged from the system after six years, although people suspected of terrorist offenses would be excluded from this rule.

British officials indicated they are not likely to be swayed by the advisory board's criticism of the DNA program.

"DNA samples are taken on arrest for recordable offenses carrying a prison sentence," a spokeswoman for Britain's Home Office said. "The government is clear that this is the right threshold for taking and retaining DNA."

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with department policy, said the DNA database is a "vital crime fighting tool."

**RebelliousVanilla** · 25th-November-2009

Ok, and the problem is what? If they take a sample when someone is arrested, how is it discriminatory? This is the same idiotic tactic feminists use related to arguing discrimination.

**Celtic Druid** · 25th-November-2009

Quote from RebelliousVanilla

Ok, and the problem is what? If they take a sample when someone is arrested, how is it discriminatory? This is the same idiotic tactic feminists use related to arguing discrimination.

Actually a recently retired police chief disclosed that the British police are routinely concocting spurious charges in order to get more people on the DNA database. It's unclear however how high up this directive originated from.

**RebelliousVanilla** · 25th-November-2009

Quote from Celtic Druid

Actually a recently retired police chief disclosed that the British police are routinely concocting spurious charges in order to get more people on the DNA database. It's unclear however how high up this directive originated from.

I don't doubt that. But it's not a discrimination issue, it's an issue of the government keeping DNA samples of innocent people.

**Incognito** · 25th-November-2009

Quote from RebelliousVanilla

I don't doubt that. But it's not a discrimination issue, it's an issue of the government keeping DNA samples of innocent people.

If certain groups are being purposefully targeted for the spurious charges in order to get them into the database, what would you call it? Prejudice or discrimination?

**Aug9th-LiveOrDie** · 25th-November-2009

more police state bullshit
luckily, americans bought enough hardware last election to outfit the chinese and indian armies
maybe we can stop this police state shit before it gets to the point it has in europe over here in the states

**RebelliousVanilla** · 25th-November-2009

Quote from Incognito

If certain groups are being purposefully targeted for the spurious charges in order to get them into the database, what would you call it? Prejudice or discrimination?

I don't see the article making any claims of certain groups being targeted OR having any factual evidence of this. The only claim the article has is that more Black people are in the database, which consists of Black people committing more crime. But yes, if specific groups are targeted with made up charges it is discrimination.

This is inconsistent with the European way of thought though, considering the European governments try to hide the crimes committed by immigrants and first generation immigrants.

Aug9th, this is why people who say that the US population can't overthrow the government amuse me.

**Zuberi** · 25th-November-2009

If that is the case then why don't they just shove a leash up everyone's ass?
It's typical for the foolish to think their in control and it always leads to their downfall!

**Aug9th-LiveOrDie** · 25th-November-2009

Quote from RebelliousVanilla

Aug9th, this is why people who say that the US population can't overthrow the government amuse me.

it wouldnt even be a contest
the goverment could definitly not depend on the national gaurd or the reserves
and in a lot of areas of the country, local law enforcement aint with it either
so it would end up being the citizenry against the ATF, IRS etc

**Incognito** · 25th-November-2009

Quote from RebelliousVanilla

I don't see the article making any claims of certain groups being targeted OR having any factual evidence of this. The only claim the article has is that more Black people are in the database, which consists of Black people committing more crime. But yes, if specific groups are targeted with made up charges it is discrimination.

This is inconsistent with the European way of thought though, considering the European governments try to hide the crimes committed by immigrants and first generation immigrants.

Aug9th, this is why people who say that the US population can't overthrow the government amuse me.

Maybe you didn't notice the word "if" that I began the statement with?

Something to consider: you are book smart on many subjects but you don't live in the U.S. and you are not an expert on prejudice and racial discrimination that exists here. What else you don't seem to have considered: statistics do not tell the whole story. More black arrests may not necessarily mean "more black crime." That can be a faulty deduction. Do I have to explain how?

**Zuberi** · 25th-November-2009

Quote from Incognito

Maybe you didn't notice the word "if" that I began the statement with?

Something to consider: you are book smart on many subjects but you don't live in the U.S. and you are not an expert on prejudice and racial discrimination that exists here. What else you don't seem to have considered: statistics do not tell the whole story. More black arrests may not necessarily mean "more black crime." That can be a faulty deduction. Do I have to explain how?

The system went after them first!
Lets not talk about the vast number of black ghettos that were heavily flooded with heroin during the 60's and 70's!
Those sick bastards put that poison there, on purpose!

At that time, their objective was to keep the black population in America, down to a minimum!
They failed!!!!!
Just like they'll fail in the future when they try to destroy us!!!!
WORLD COMMUNISM= HELL ON EARTH!!!!!!!

**RebelliousVanilla** · 25th-November-2009

Quote from Incognito

Maybe you didn't notice the word "if" that I began the statement with?

Something to consider: you are book smart on many subjects but you don't live in the U.S. and you are not an expert on prejudice and racial discrimination that exists here. What else you don't seem to have considered: statistics do not tell the whole story. More black arrests may not necessarily mean "more black crime." That can be a faulty deduction. Do I have to explain how?

You don't live in Europe and the statistics are European so what does living in the US has to do with anything? Get a grip. Since you make this bullshit argument about living in the US all the time, have you been to the UK? I visited the UK and I'm European. If you didn't, then you can't know as much and you should shut up - you did this amazing argument before related to me not being American, hence unable to know things about the US.

And I don't see that much racism that still exists there. At least coming from White people because I saw Black people saying that all Whites should be killed and so on, I saw that a Black caucus exists, affirmative action etc. But hey, you can write an essay about it with some hard facts - kind of like the DiSteffano case in which a White firefighter was barred from promotion for being White. And since we are at it, show me how more Black arrests don't mean more Black crime and prove your statements.

By the way, I noticed the if and I answered your question. I didn't know I had to bold the if at the specific part that answered your question.