Austria | Samples have to be destroyed when they reach the age of 80 years | Samples are usually retained; when the suspect is acquitted, a written request for destruction can be submitted |
Belgium | Samples have to be destroyed as soon as the DNA profiles are created | There is no suspect database; samples of suspects have to be destroyed as soon as the public prosecution office has made sure that a counter-enquiry is not going to be proceeded or when the result of a counter-enquiry has been communicated to the suspect who has ordered it |
Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia | No information | No information |
Cyprus | Samples have to be destroyed when record is cleared | Samples have to be destroyed when suspect is freed of charges or upon acquittal |
Czech Rep. | Samples have to be destroyed after 80 years | No suspect database |
Denmark | Samples have to be destroyed 2 years after their death or when they reach the age of 80 years | Samples have to be destroyed 2 years after their death or when they reach the age of 80 years |
Estonia | Time of destruction not fixed | Time of destruction not fixed |
Finland | Samples have to be destroyed 10 years after their death | Samples have to be destroyed within 1 year starting at the moment the prosecutor has made sure that there is no evidence of an offence, charges have been dismissed or when the sentence has been nullified. If the samples are not removed earlier, they must be removed 10 years after the death of the individuals |
France | Samples have to be destroyed 40 years after the sentence has been passed or when they reach the age of 80 years | Samples are treated like any other piece of evidence; if suspect is acquitted, the sample has to be destroyed. |
Germany | If they are no longer considered useful for the investigation, samples have to be destroyed immediately after the DNA profiles are created | If they are no longer considered useful for the investigation, samples have to be destroyed immediately after the DNA profiles are created |
Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain | N/A (No national database) | N/A (No national database) |
Hungary | Samples have to be destroyed 20 years after the sentence has passed | Samples have to be destroyed upon abandonment of the proceedings or upon acquittal |
Latvia | Samples are retained for 75 years | Samples are retained for 75 years |
Lithuania | Samples have to be destroyed once the DNA profiles are created | Samples have to be destroyed once the DNA profiles are created |
Luxemburg | Samples have to be destroyed 10 years after their death | Samples have to be destroyed when suspect is acquitted or when the prescription term is reached. When the suspect dies, his DNA profile is retained for 10 years |
Poland | Unknown | Unknown |
Slovakia | Sample is retained | Samples have to be destroyed upon acquittal |
Sweden | Sample have to be destroyed as soon as possible | Samples have to be destroyed as soon as possible |
The Netherlands | Samples have to be destroyed after 20 years when the sentence involves a prison sentence of 6 years or less; after 30 years when the sentence involves a prison sentence of 6 years or more; 20 years after the death of the individual | Samples have to be destroyed upon acquittal |
UK (Eng. & Wales) | Time of destruction not fixed | Time of destruction not fixed |
UK (Scotland) | Time of destruction not fixed | Samples have to be destroyed when no criminal proceedings are instituted or upon acquittal |