Police Scotland ‘not recording ethnicity correctly' on DNA database
Police Scotland was warned it was not recording DNA ethnicity data correctly amid a row around allegations of institutional racism within the force.
Former Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone said Police Scotland 'is institutionally racist and discriminatory', months before retiring in August 2023.
However the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, Dr Brian Plastow, called on Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) to review procedures for recording ethnicity when it collects DNA or other biometric data following arrest – and issued a report saying failure to do so correctly was 'concerning'.
Less than 1,000 crimes a year in Scotland are solved using DNA – typically murders, assaults and sex offences – and Police Scotland was told to develop a biometrics strategy including cost, to be approved and in place before October 31.
Biometric data includes DNA and fingerprints, and publicly available information on the UK's National DNA Database allows scrutiny to see if any ethnic group is over-represented – with black citizens accounting for 7.5%, despite being 4% of the UK population according to the 2021/22 census.
The 2022 Scottish census noted that 1.3% of the population is of black heritage – however, no details about ethnicity are recorded on the Scottish DNA Database (SDNAD), which is almost 30 years old, meaning experts were unable to establish if there was over-representation.
A decade after a £6 million investment in world-class DNA technology in the Scottish Crime Campus in Gartcosh, North Lanarkshire, the benefits 'have not been fully realised', and 70% of the profiles are of a lower scientific standard due to a failure to re-test offenders, the report warned.
Properly recording data would support Police Scotland's equality duties and help maintain public confidence, amid allegations of 'institutional racism', supported by Chief Constable Jo Farrell, it was said.
Dr Plastow said: 'SPA Forensic Services and Police Scotland were unable to provide us with any reliable management information on the ethnicity of anyone held within SDNAD as the database is nearly 30 years old and not designed to record this information.
'Failing to properly record and publish data on ethnicity of arrested people whose biometric data is held is concerning, against the context of the former and current chief constables having stated that institutional racism persists.
'We have been unable to establish whether there is over-representation on grounds of ethnicity or any protected characteristic.'
As an alternative, Police Scotland were asked to provide ethnicity data from its National Custody System, for arrests from 2023 to 2024 where DNA was taken. However, this mandatory information was 'incomplete' and 'unreliable', Dr Plastow said.
He added: 'The data extract obtained by Police Scotland was incomplete and so heavily caveated to render it unreliable.'
Seven recommendations were made after a joint review with the SPA and the Leverhulme Institute of Forensic Science, on the acquisition, retention, use and destruction of DNA.
Dr Plastow said: 'DNA provided a potential investigative lead in only 0.34% of recorded crime in Scotland in 2023 to 2024, but those investigative leads can be spectacular.'
The report highlighted that where a criminal has been re-arrested, no fresh DNA sample is routinely taken if a lower standard DNA profile was recorded predating 2014 – despite investment that year which gave Police Scotland access to the most advanced DNA analysis facilities available internationally.
In 2014, after the establishment of Police Scotland and the SPA, the Scottish Government spent £6 million on the new DNA testing facility, but a decision not to re-test samples predating 2014, means less than a third of offenders' profiles are currently of the newer DNA24 standard, it was warned.
Dr Plastow said: 'When the new facility opened there were more than 250,000 samples A decision was taken on the grounds of cost and laboratory capacity not to do any bulk back record conversion, as it would have cost more than £10 million.
'More than 10 years after the introduction of DNA24, 69.9% of profiles held are still of a lower scientific standard.'
Police Scotland was urged to review its DNA Confirmed policy to increase DNA24 profiles, for more effective investigations, and to develop a biometrics strategy including capital expenditure before October 31.
Dr Plastow said: 'Holding DNA24 profiles would lead to more effective and efficient investigations and eliminate innocent suspects more quickly.
'Without such a plan, there is no clear vision of what Police Scotland hopes to achieve with DNA, fingerprints, facial images, or other biometric enabled technologies including retrospective facial search.'
Police Scotland and the SPA have been contacted for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Edinburgh man arrested in early hour 'raid' on major city centre street
An Edinburgh man was arrested following a police raid at a property on a busy city centre street on Sunday morning. Officers executed a warrant at a premises on Lothian Road at around 1:30am on Sunday, June 22 and a 30-year-old man was arrested. Images of the incident show around eight police vehicles in attendance outside Club Tropicana and NQ64. READ MORE: Edinburgh locals warn 'we will go to war over parking' if development goes ahead READ MORE: Edinburgh locals party atop Arthur's Seat at stunning sunset rave A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Officers arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with outstanding warrants at a premises on Lothian Road in Edinburgh around 1.30am on Sunday, 22 June, 2025. 'He has been charged and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 23 June.' Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
West Lothian man rushed to hospital with serious injuries after incident on busy road
A West Lothian man was rushed to hospital on Saturday with serious injuries following an incident on a busy Bathgate road. Officers were called to Plessey Road at around 10:40pm on Saturday, June 21 after they received reports of a disturbance. The exact nature of the incident has yet to be confirmed. A 43-year-old man was rushed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. His current condition is unknown. READ MORE: Edinburgh locals warn 'we will go to war over parking' if development goes ahead READ MORE: Edinburgh locals party atop Arthur's Seat at stunning sunset rave A Police Scotland spokesperson added: "We were called to a report of a disturbance in the Plessey Road area of Bathgate around 10.40pm on Saturday, 21 June, 2025. 'Emergency services attended and a 43-year-old man was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment to serious injuries. 'Enquiries are ongoing.' Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Young missing Edinburgh man 'last seen on busy road' as police launch urgent search
Police Scotland have launched an urgent appeal for information on a missing Edinburgh man who was last seen on a major city road. Kieran Maloney was last seen at around 0:10am on Sunday, June 22 on Ferry Road near the junction with North Junction Street wearing a navy blue bomber jacket and jeans. The 25-year-old is described as being around 6ft 1ins, of medium build, with short, red hair. READ MORE: Edinburgh locals party atop Arthur's Seat at stunning sunset rave READ MORE: Midlothian creeps caught on film lurking around neighbourhood after dark Concerns for Kieran's wellbeing are growing and the authorities are asking that anyone with information regarding Kieran and his whereabouts get in touch with the force. Inspector Grant McCulloch said: 'Concerns are growing for Kieran's welfare and we want to make sure he is safe and well. 'I am asking anyone who has seen Kieran or knows where he might be to get in touch.' Anyone who can help should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 0908 of Sunday, 22 June, 2025. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages
