Legislative proposal to collect DNA material from suspects sent to House of Representatives
The government wants to make it possible to take cellular material from suspects of serious crimes as early as the investigation phase so that DNA profiles can be established for convicted individuals who are later untraceable. Minister of Justice and Security Van Weel is sending the House of Representatives a proposed amendment to the current DNA Testing of Convicted Persons Act (DNA-V Act) for this purpose. This change to the law can prevent the non-availability of cellular material from individuals who are unable to be found after their conviction, a situation that frequently occurs at present.
Minister Van Weel: At the moment, DNA profiles of about 87% of convicts falling within the scope of the DNA-V Act are entered into the DNA database. By bringing forward the time of collection of cellular material, that is expected to go up to 96%. This could ensure that more cases are solved because DNA found at a crime scene could potentially be linked to the DNA profile of a convicted person.
Currently, cellular material is collected after a person has been convicted of a serious crime. However, some of the convicts do not show up and cannot be found, so their DNA material cannot be included in the database. With this proposal, if someone is suspected of a serious crime, the moment of collection is brought forward to during the investigation. This does not mean it can be immediately used for DNA testing. After collection, the cellular material will be stored in a separate secure environment and will not immediately be processed in the database. A DNA profile is prepared and processed in the DNA database only after a person has been convicted. If that does not happen, the cellular material will be destroyed.
The Council of State gave its advice on the proposal, which prompted a number of amendments. The proposal will now be debated in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Originally published at https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2025/05/16/legislative-proposal-to-collect-dna-material-from-suspects-sent-to-house-of-representatives
