Parents scare kids off crime with police ID database

Police are collecting samples of children's finger and palm prints, in a desperate bid by parents to scare their children off crime.

Detective Inspector Malcolm Johnston -- who is in charge of the South Island's crime prints and forensics team -- said police had been collecting voluntary samples from youths nationwide for a juvenile print database, The Press reported today.

"We do take a lot of voluntary juvenile fingerprints," he said.

"Feedback from parents is that it's a wake-up call for the youths, and crime prevention."

Mr Johnston said a large number of burglaries and car thefts were committed by youths, so gathering forensic evidence from young people was very important.

He said while DNA data was becoming more sophisticated, finger and palm prints were unique identifiers which often played a crucial role in convicting offenders.

The current law allows for the voluntary collection of fingerprints and palm prints.

However, only those aged over 16 can volunteer their DNA.

Police can take DNA samples from people when they are convicted of serious crimes such as sexual offences and burglary, but only finger and palm prints can be collected at the time of arrest.

- NZPA