Criminologists gather 15,000 DNA samples from prisoners

Criminologists have completed a round-up of DNA samples at 35 Czech prisons, part of a project to add prisoners' genetic profiles to the national database. 15,000 samples of prisoners found guilty of deliberate crimes were taken. According to police presidium spokesman David Kubalak the samples were taken to help with investigations into a number of unsolved cases, to help with investigations in the future, as well as to make it easier to track international crime. A number of lawyers criticised the procedure, saying that prisoners did not know how the samples would be used. According to the presidium spokesman, the prisoners gave DNA samples willingly.