DNA testing not far off: Hawkins

WELLINGTON - Legislation allowing burglary suspects to be DNA tested should be introduced by the end of the year, says Police Minister George Hawkins.

The Government is also looking at the way tests are taken.

Money was provided in the Budget for DNA testing of burglary suspects and Mr Hawkins told Parliament's law and order select committee yesterday that Justice Minister Phil Goff was expected to bring in the legislation this year or soon after.

Mr Hawkins said he had visited British police in Birmingham to study the collection of samples by mouth swabs, which was less invasive than taking blood.

"We can't do that as a right in New Zealand at the moment ... It most certainly is one of the things we want to see changed."

Discussions were ongoing about who could be required to give samples, he said.

Police Commissioner Rob Robinson said DNA testing was a powerful tool for identifying offenders and eliminating suspects.

Mr Hawkins was questioned by the committee on the integrity of DNA testing after reports of contaminated samples.

He said contamination had been a problem but he had been assured by authorities at testing laboratories in Mt Albert and by police that this had been fixed.

Mr Robinson said police contracted testing to the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, and had been reassured that its standards met international benchmarks.

The money for DNA testing was included in an extra $14 million over three years to be spent on a burglary crackdown.

Mr Robinson told the committee the extra money would be channelled into the Auckland metropolitan area because it had a low rate of solving burglaries - at times 5 to 6 per cent.

- NZPA