BRITAIN's criminals could well be in a biological trap. Their DNA combination, a deadly giveaway of their true identity, will be stored in a bank, the world's first of which was launched in Birmingham on April 10 this year. It will primarily support the national police network and is expected to store about 1,35,000 samples in the first year.

However, special care has been taken to ensure that the privacy of an innocent victim is not invaded. Samples will be taken from suspects but can only be stored if they are convicted cautioned for a cognisable offence is the most significant scientific advance in fighting crime since finger prints," I raved the home secretary Michael Howard, who inaugurated this unique bank.