Gene-trapping baddies

BRITAIN's criminals could well be in a biological trap. Their DNA combination, a
deadly giveaway of their true identity,
will be stored in a bank, the world's
first of which was launched in
Birmingham on April 10 this year. It will
primarily support the national police
network and is expected to store about
1,35,000 samples in the first year.

However, special care has been
taken to ensure that the privacy of an innocent victim is not invaded. Samples
will be taken from suspects but can
only be stored if they are convicted
cautioned for a cognisable offence
is the most significant scientific
advance in fighting crime since finger
prints," I raved the home secretary
Michael Howard, who inaugurated this
unique bank.