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DNA-data exchange in Europe

European Conference on international DNA data exchange
in criminal justice, Maastricht/Heerlen, June 5-6, 2008


Click here for the Programme in PDF format.

The exchange of DNA data represents a major growth area in the criminal law enforcement initiatives inside the EU. The European Council has proposed to intensify the cross border co-operation along the lines of the Prum Treaty, including the exchange of DNA data. June 2007 the European Parliament has supported this initiative provided that protection of personal data is safeguarded by stricter conditions. Consequently, recently developed instruments on bilateral and multilateral level are to be incorporated in the EU acquis. The Treaty of Prum is accepted as prototypical and will be transformed into a framework decision shortly. This treaty provides for DNA data exchange on the basis of a hit-no hit mechanism. It is about to be implemented in several states, among others The Netherlands, and has already been deployed between Germany and Austria.
These new instruments are developed under the principle of availability, the leading EU principle for information exchange. Assistance in compiling evidence is taken as a separate matter for which different rules and principles apply. In the DNA case this separation is put to the test, due to the particular features of a DNA hit. A hit, understood as the result that a DNA marker is present in the consulted database and can be connected to personal details, is not merely information, but almost always carries a reliable and clear-cut contribution to conclusive or exclusive evidence. However, in the Prum mechanism a hit is considered as information and the upgrade to evidence requires additional procedural steps.

The conference will focus on these developments and put forward the following questions: What would be a proper implementation of the Prum mechanism, what are the experiences so far and the problems to be expected. Would it mean an asset in the combat of serious and organised crime and terrorism, or will it prove to be particularly relevant for the investigation and prosecution of medium level crimein border regions? Is the hit-no hit mechanism effective and is the additional procedure more then window dressing? What is the validity of the difference between information and evidence? Is the data protection sufficiently safeguarded under the new and future instruments? Can the problem of data protection better be tackled by technological solutions than by procedural arrangements? Are we moving into the direction of one European database for DNA data?

The conference will use the formats of plenary speeches, expert sessions and moderated debates to share knowledge and experience on< these questions. A conference dinner offers additional opportunities to meet relevant partners in international co-operation in criminal justice.

Organised by Law Faculty of the Open University of The Netherlands

Participants (max. 100):
All those interested in the development of international co-operation in criminal justice: prosecutors, senior police officers, policy makers, judges, attorneys, academics

Language:
English

Registration fee:
There will be no registration fee. Expenses for participation and stay (hotel from June 5 to 6 , lunches and dinner) will be covered.
Registration will be final after confirmation. In case the registration outnumbers the maximum of 100 participants, the organising comittee will decide on confirmation on the basis of the following criteria: time of registration, expertise and geographical divergence.

Contact
Proposals for a presentation in the expert sessions are welcome. There is still some room in the programme. Contact the organising committee via the contact form in the upper menu of this website.