'No universal DNA database plans'

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Suffolk serial killer Wright and Sally Anne Bowman's murderer Dixie were both captured because their DNA was taken after unrelated offences.

Speaking after Dixie's guilty verdict, the policeman who led the hunt for Miss Bowman's killer called for a national DNA register.

The plea has the backing of Miss Bowman's mother who has previously petitioned for the move.

But the Home Office said a compulsory database would raise "significant practical and ethical issues".

DNA samples and fingerprints are already taken on a routine basis upon most arrests.

A Home Office spokesman said: "There are no Government plans to introduce a universal compulsory, or voluntary, national DNA database and to do so would raise significant practical and ethical issues."

Detective Superintendent Stuart Cundy, who led the investigation into Miss Bowman's murder, said a national DNA database would have led to Dixie's arrest within 24 hours.

Dixie had 16 previous convictions in Britain but all were before DNA was routinely taken from suspects.

He was arrested for Miss Bowman's murder nine months later after being arrested for a minor scuffle over a World Cup football match. His DNA was placed on the police database and he was in custody five hours later for the killing.