Give Us Your DNA

Panorama: Give Us Your DNA Monday 24 September, 2007 2030 BST, BBC ONE

Someone is added to the UK DNA database every minute, including people who have not been charged with any offence.

It can solve crimes and free the innocent. So should all of us now be on the database whether we like it or not, or should we pull back?

The discovery of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid), the genetic building block of life, has transformed forensic science: a few cells of DNA are enough now to identify and to help to convict criminals.

The clear-up rate for burglaries has hugely improved. Long un-solved crimes have been cleared up, and murderers put away in jail, with the critical assistance of tiny - microscopically small - traces of DNA.

And the revolution in the use of DNA in the prevention and detection of crime is being led by police forces and scientists in the UK.

The DNA profile of millions of citizens is now permanently stored on computer. But is this a system we can trust?

Does the National DNA Database simply protect us or does it in any way threaten our liberties? Panorama investigates on Monday, 24 September 2007 at 2030 BST on BBC One.