People stopped by police could soon be given on-the-spot DNA tests from saliva or hair samples to identify whether they are wanted criminals.
British scientists have developed a hand-held DNA testing kit, which could become as common as a breathalyser on regular patrols, and could be in standard use within a couple of years.
The device will be electronically linked to Britain's DNA database and will dramatically cut the time it takes to match DNA evidence from crime scenes to suspects.
Forensic scientists expect they will soon be able to tell a suspect's eye colour, facial characteristics, height and weight from a single hair.
The next step would be portable testing kits that need little technical ability to operate.
Britain's Sunday Telegraph reported that research on the kits was well advanced.
But civil liberties groups have greeted the news with alarm, saying the pendulum has swung too far in the police's favour.
In Britain, it takes 48 hours to profile biological material collected from a crime scene, but the new kits could give police an instant lead.
Britain this year pumped an extra £109 million ($353 million) for expanding the police DNA database in Birmingham to include samples from the "entire active criminal population."
But New Zealand police can wait up to three months for DNA data.
Police have a $9 million budget for testing - undertaken at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, which is struggling with a backlog of 120 cases.
A police spokesman said there were no plans to introduce testing kits. Police are preparing for a proposed law change to allow them to take mouth swabs for DNA, a less invasive method than blood testing.
British police are lobbying for laws to allow expansion of the database to include innocent people who volunteer samples in mass screenings.
- STAFF REPORTER, AGENCIES.
Police may soon seek instant DNA tests
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