WRITTEN QUESTION E-2475/98

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council

(1 September 1998)

Subject: European DNA database of murderers and rapists and European database of missing children

1. Is the Council aware that with present-day social mobility the fast and efficient exchange of information relating to serious crimes, such as rape and murder, and of the particulars of children reported missing in Europe, is an absolute necessity?

2. Will the Council take the initiative of enabling a European DNA database to be established as soon as possible in order to allow the DNA profiles of serial rapists and murderers and of rapists and murderers of children to be exchanged?

3. Will the Council launch initiatives as soon as possible to enable a joint European database containing full particulars of missing children to be established?

Reply

(9 November 1998)

The Council Resolution of 9 June 1997 on the exchange of DNA analysis results(1) invites Member States to consider establishing national DNA databases with a view to exchanging DNA analysis results between them. The Resolution further calls on Member States to build up their databases using the same DNA markers, in accordance with the same standards and in a compatible manner. The choice of markers and standards to be used and of a system of information exchange are to be determined on the basis of studies.

Feasibility studies are being carried out on developing agreed markers and standards of DNA profiling and the system of exchanging DNA data between Member States with the help of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) and with the assistance of EU funding under the STOP programme (Joint Action of 29 November 1996 establishing an incentive and exchange programme for persons responsible for combating trade in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children)(2).

The establishment of a European DNA database will have to be considered as a second stage once the conditions for the exchange of the DNA analysis results are in place. In this context an appropriate role for Europol will be considered.

Some Member States already have in place a national DNA database, others are in the process of establishing one within the next years. Work on agreeing common profiling markers and standards is continuing with a view to placing before the Council proposals to facilitate the exchange of DNA analysis results between Member States.

As part of the implementation of the Joint Action of 24 February 1997 concerning action to combat trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation of children(3), the Council, at its meeting on 19 March 1998, agreed on proposals to establish national coordination points for missing persons and to improve the working methods of the existing points, with priority being given to high-risk categories of missing persons. A network of these national coordination points will be created.

In this context the Council recalls the work done within the framework of the Schengen Information System (Article 97 of the Schengen Convention of 19 June 1990) and Interpol (Automated Search Facility).

(1) OJ C 193, 24.6.1997, p. 2.

(2) OJ L 322, 12.12.1996, p. 7.

(3) OJ L 63, 4.3.1997, p. 2.