Britain set to issue new DNA rules

LONDON, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- The British government says its DNA database will continue to include people who have been charged but not convicted of a crime.

The Home Office is ready to release a set of revised proposals concerning how long the government can retain the DNA of the innocent, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The DNA of 16- and 17-year-olds, along with those suspected but not convicted of serious sex or violent offenses, will be kept in the database for six instead of 12 years, the newspaper said.

Last year the European Court of Human Rights ruled that a blanket policy of retaining profiles of innocent people indefinitely was illegal.

Chris Grayling, the shadow home secretary, said it's almost too late for the current government to make changes before the election.

"It will fall to a future administration to do the right thing and end Labor's draconian approach," Grayling said.