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Police are welcoming enhancements to crime-fighting technology which will allow them to take more DNA samples from suspected criminals - including youths.
The Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill, which was passed last year, would add more weapons to police's crime fighting arsenal, Invercargill Detective Sergeant Mark McCloy, the DNA implementation manager for the Southern District, said.

Until now, police could obtain DNA samples from those convicted of relevant offences, those suspected of committing indictable offences, and those who give samples voluntarily.

But under the amendments which came into force yesterday, police may collect DNA samples as they take an offender's fingerprints.

The Act has also been widened to include minor offences that may involve DNA left at the scene and have a link to more serious crime, such as peeping and male assaults female.

Police will also be able to obtain DNA from youths aged 14 to 16 if they intend to charge them with a relevant offence.

Targeting youth DNA could reduce "volume crime" such as burglary and car thefts, and enable police to rehabilitate youth offenders, Det...