By George Jones, Political Editor
Last Updated: 2:52am BST 24/10/2006
Audio: Philip Johnston on the DNA database
Tony Blair called yesterday for the national DNA database to be expanded to include every citizen.He said there should be no limit on the development of the database because it was vital for catching serious criminals.   
Tony Blair claimed during a trip to the Forensic Science Service in London that extended use of DNA had public backing
The Conservatives accused him of attempting to expand the DNA database by stealth and called for Parliament to vote on whether details of people who were innocent or not charged should be included against their wishes.
The Prime Minister said the public backed the extended use of DNA and urged police forces across the country to make use of technological advances to reopen thousands of unresolved "cold cases".
During a tour of the Forensic Science Service headquarters in London, he dismissed concerns of opposition politicians, saying the public backed the database because it was "helping us track down murderers, rapists".
The national DNA database has expanded by about a third to 3.6 million profiles since the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which allowed police to take ...   more »