Under current laws, the database holds DNA records from suspects arrested in England and Wales, regardless of whether they are subsequently charged or convicted.

And innocent people who volunteer to give a DNA sample during a police inquiry also have their details kept on record.

People are being added to the Government's national DNA database at the rate of more than one a minute.

The Human Genetics Commission, a government-backed watchdog, launched a major inquiry into the use of DNA records by police.

It's report due soon is said to recommend that the DNA profiles of those not convicted of a crime should be removed from the database in England and Wales, and that control of the database should be taken from government and police and given to an independent body.

Alex Marshall, Deputy Chief Constable of Thames Valley, said in a response to the Home Office's review of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act that "extending the taking of samples to all offences may be perceived as indicative of the increasing criminalisation of the generally law-abiding citizen".

A spokeswoman for the Commission for Racial Equality said: "Statistics paint a frightening picture. Black men are four times more likely than white men to have their DNA profiles stored in the police national DNA database. In the interests of fairness we would like to call for DNA profiles to be limited to those that are convicted only."

The Home Office insists that the DNA database - the largest in the world - is a vital tool in the fight against crime. But critics warn that the system could lead to discrimination against ethnic minorities.

The Government point out the number of crimes solved by using DNA makes arguments for keeping and expanding the database compelling.

In one recent case a serial rapist was caught because his sister's DNA was added to the database and a close match was reported.

Do you have a view?

Does it criminalise the innocent by storing their DNA records?

Should records be deleted if no conviction is achieved?

Should the whole population be on the database?