The Collection of DNA for DNA Databases: A Study on Human Rights Issues
Main Article Content
Abstract
Thai legislation concerning DNA collection from individuals in the investigation phase is currently limited to evidence collection purposes. There are neither specific laws on the collection of DNA for database purposes, nor specific laws on DNA databases. Thus, consent is the only way officials can legally obtain DNA from individuals, involved in a crime or not. Also, in Thailand’s southern border provinces, there have been “forceful” DNA collections conducted systematically on local people, considered to be prejudicial and in violation of human rights. This research finds that the United Kingdom and the United States have specific laws on the collection of DNA for DNA database purposes, providing for types of individuals allowed to take DNA samples from, methods for DNA collection, penalties for not cooperating in the collection, and the right to know. They also have specific laws on DNA databases, stipulating their establishments, types of individuals DNA collection is required, maintaining and disclosing of DNA profiles, and data retention periods. Interview results from justice professionals emphasize the importance of the matter. Hence, it is suggested that specific rules be adopted in Thailand. This would help solve human rights issues, protect people’s rights and liberties, and increase law enforcement effectiveness.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
เนื้อหาและข้อมูลในบทความที่ลงตีพิมพ์ใน วารสารวิชาการอาชญาวิทยาและนิติวิทยาศาสตร์ โรงเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ ถิอว่าเป็นข้อคิดเห็นและความรั้บผิดชอบของผู้เขียนบทความโดยตรงซึ่งกองบรรณาธิการวารสาร ไม่จำเป็นต้องเห็นด้วยหรือรับผิดชอบใดๆ
บทความ ข้อมูล เนื้อหา รูปภาพ ฯลฯ ที่ได้รับการตีพิมพ์ใน วารสารวิชาการอาชญาวิทยาและนิติวิทยาศาสตร์ ถือว่าเป็นลิขสิทธิ์ของวารสาร วารสารวิชาการอาชญาวิทยาและนิติวิทยาศาสตร์ หากบุคคลหรือหน่วยงานใดต้องการนำทั้งหมดหรือส่วนหนึ่งส่วนใดไปเผยแพร่ต่อหรือเพื่อกระทำการใดๆ จะต้องได้รับอนุญาตเป็นลายลักษณ์อักษรจาก วารสารวิชาการอาชญาวิทยาและนิติวิทยาศาสตร์ ก่อนเท่านั้น
References
Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights of the House of Representatives. (2020). Minutes of the Committee’s 21st meeting. Retrieved July 18, 2021. from https://www.parliament.go.th/ewtcommittee/ewt/25_law/ewt_dl_link.php?nid=370&filename=index. (In Thai).
Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2020). CODIS - NDIS Statistics. Retrieved July 23, 2021. from https://www.fbi.gov/services/laboratory/biometric-analysis/codis/ndis-statistics
Home Office. (2013). Protection of Freedoms Act 2012: how DNA and fingerprint evidence is protected in law. Retrieved July 27, 2021. from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protection-of-freedoms-act-2012-dna-and-fingerprint-provisions/protection-of-freedoms-act-2012-how-dna-and-fingerprint-evidence-is-protected-in-law
Home Office. (2021). National DNA Database Statistics. Retrieved July 22, 2021 from https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-dna-database-statistics
Isranews Agency. (2019). Southern border military draft DNA collection, gaining more than you think by being a soldier. Retrieved July 20, 2021. from https://www.isranews.org/content-page/67-south-slide/75388-dna.html. (In Thai).
Khaosod Online. (2020). Calls for ending to southern draftee DNA collection. Retrieved July 25, 2021. From https://www.khaosod.co.th/newspaper/newspaper-front-page/ news_4522061. (In Thai).
Mandara, A. (2013). Compulsory Collection and Retention of DNA Upon Arrest: Fourth Amendment Implications. Retrieved July 22, 2021. from https://scholarship.shu. edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1160&context=student_scholarship
MGR Online. (2019) Cross Cultural Foundation urges ending to collection and deletion of DNA collected from southern border provinces draftees. Retrieved July 25, 2021. from https://mgronline.com/south/detail/9620000034900. (In Thai).
Prachatai. (2015). Muslim lawyer center points out there is no law allowing officials to collect DNA. Retrieved July 15, 2021. from https://prachatai.com/journal/2015/11/62608. (In Thai).
Tatiyakarunwong, C. (2019). Knowledge Document on the Forceful Collection of DNA in the Southern Border Provinces. Retrieved July 23, 2021. from https://voicefromthais.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/dna1.pdf. (In Thai).
Legislation. (2021). The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE). Retrieved July 22, 2021 from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/60/contents
Thai PBS. (2019). DNA-Sim Card - Two-way Operation: Perd Pom. Retrieved July 23, 2021. from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqrgwlNta_w. (In Thai).
United Nations. (1948). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Retrieved July 24, 2021. from https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
Wimonses, W., Choosakoonkraing, S. (2020). DNA Database in Thailand. Journal of Thai Justice System, 13(3), 61–79. (In Thai).