Recession hits planned expansion of DNA tests

The Government's belt-tightening has struck one of its key election promises, with its plans to expand DNA testing cut back because of "fiscal restraints".

On the campaign trail, Prime Minister John Key said National would require DNA testing of every person arrested for an imprisonable offence. Mr Key subsequently made this part of his "action plan" for the first 100 days of power.

But documents obtained under the Official Information Act show that within days of the election Justice Minister Simon Power was advised of the plan's "significant operational and financial implications".

Changes were made that meant the plan will now be introduced in two stages - with estimates showing it will now only capture half as many crimes in the first year. The first stage will see samples taken off those arrested for a targeted group of offences. National says it will be expanded to all arrested offences before the 2011 election.

The documents show officials estimated the staged approach would lead to 217 extra convictions in the year after its introduction in 2010, as opposed to 455 if it had been fully implemented.

Officials made estimates of the costs - all of which have been deleted from the documents by Mr Power.

Mr Power signed off on the staged approach in February, publicly saying it would help adjust to the increased workload and a "capacity issue". Yesterday, he said he accepted the "economic reality" and was relaxed about the staged approach.