"Libertarianz has no problem with allowing the police the ability to utilise molecular biological technology when fighting crime," says spokesman Robert Winefield, "however our press release of yesterday has raised a few eyebrows, and requires further clarification."

"We believe the Police should be allowed every legitimate means available to fight real crime," he says. "The slipshod procedures currently used to issue warrants are however open to abuse and should be remedied before any use of DNA be introduced. Moreover, we remain opposed to any permanent DNA database along British lines."

He suggests his stumbling block could be addressed in the short term by stipulating that DNA may only be taken either after arrest, as with fingerprints, or voluntarily - if a suspect wishes to clear themselves. DNA derived from persons cleared of suspicion should be immediately destroyed.

"The long term remedy," he says, "would be the introduction of proper procedures for due process, as for example are contained in Libertarianz' proposed constitution."

ENDS

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