Italy to get DNA database

(ANSA) - Rome, March 24 - The government is expected to give its definitive approval to the creation of a national DNA database in support of law enforcement activities at a cabinet meeting on Friday, sources said Thursday.
    The provision would allow greater cooperation between States in the fight against terrorism, illegal immigration and international crime. The database would store DNA samples from the authors or presumed authors of voluntary crimes, convicts with a definitive sentence, people who are arrested while committing a crime or who have been detained, are being held in pre-trial custody or have been placed under pre-trial house arrest. Profiles would be retained for a maximum of 40 years and biological samples would be destroyed after 20 years.