DNA samples lost & Failures due to incorrectly sealed bags in 2022-2023

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.035514

I note you seek access to the following information:

The Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner's annual report 2022 to 2023 (published 24/1/24) states that police forces lost 2081 DNA samples in 2022/23 (para.53)

1. Please provide the number of DNA samples the Metropolitan Police Service lost in 2022/23.

Paragraph 50 states:
'50. Failure to seal the bag correctly again features highly as an issue, rising from 953 occasions in the last reporting year to 1214 to this year...'

2. Please provide the number of failures attributed to incorrectly sealed bags recorded by the Metropolitan Police Service in 2022/23.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Please see below information relevant to your questions 1 and 2.

Please note: In the interim period since the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s (BSCC) report some of the samples have been found. We have therefore provided two sets of figures. The first table discloses the MPS’s figures that were within the overall figures published by the BSCC. The second table discloses revised figures.

BC report published figures
Metropolitan Police	Total
Bag not sealed	389
Lost	1096

Please see revised figures below:

2nd set after checks – accurate as of 06/02/24
Metropolitan Police	Total
Bag not sealed	389
Lost	1020