Sjt Stuart Morris, 5 Rifles
I’m sure we will be well briefed on this scheme before it comes in, and I will make my decision based on the facts. As with anything new, people don’t like change. Providing a sample is a good idea, but there are security issues. These need to be looked at and the troops informed. I don’t think most people would have a drama with giving a DNA sample.
|
|
Cpl Iain Sanderson, REME
As long as your DNA is used just for identification, providing a sample is a good idea. The problem arises if it is used for other purposes.
When you have identification issues, having access to a soldier’s DNA is a bonus. But there must be more info about the scheme, and I want assurances the sample would only be for the stated purposes. |
|
Rfn Shane McFadden, 5 Rifles
I haven’t got a problem with this at all. If you have an issue, why not give a sample before you go away and then have it destroyed when you get home? There are security issues, just the same as there are with everything else in life. But I don’t have any reservations. I would want my wife to know sharpish if anything happened to me.
|
|
Sgt Anthony Boocock, RLC
Speaking as someone who is soon to deploy, I think giving a sample would ease the process of identification.
The only concern for some is who would have access to the DNA bank. It needs to be made clear who could get to the data. I wouldn’t mind if the whole population had to give a sample to assist any police inquiries.
|
|
Sgt Matthew Gough, PWRR
I would certainly volunteer to give a DNA sample before deploying. In the current climate of operations, there is always the potential for the worst to happen. I was in Iraq in 2006 when a helicopter crashed. It took some time to identify those involved. For those with reservations, they should know that they can have their sample withdrawn at any time they choose.
|
|
2nd Lt Rhi Middleditch, AGC (ETS)
I think I would volunteer to provide my DNA before going away on operations. It would give me peace of mind for my family should the worst happen. If the scheme had been made compulsory, there would be issues over an individual’s rights. But it is voluntary, and the sample can resolve any issues over identification.Families are under a lot of stress when they hear about fatalities, and giving a sample can help take away some of that stress – it will also help avoid mistakes.
|
|
LCpl Karl Thompson, 5 Rifles
Remembering what happened when the Lynx helicopter went down during Op Telic 8, providing a DNA sample is a good idea. I’m not concerned about security – the scheme would enable families to be informed more quickly in the event of a death.
I’ve been on three tours in Iraq and would be willing to give a sample before deploying on operations again.
|
|
Maj Stuart Barltrop, AGC (ETS)
The scheme makes sense as it avoids mistakes. You hope the situation where identification is an issue won’t happen but you can never tell.
There must be safeguards to protect your info – I can see that being an issue for some people. I have not seen the detail of the DNA scheme, but I can’t see it being a problem. To me it makes sense – you never know when your number is going to be up. |
|
Cpl Scott Wallace, R Signals
If giving your DNA will help speed up identification should the worst happen, then it can only be a good thing and on that basis I would probably volunteer to provide a sample. It needs to be made clear what the sample is for. Will it be for identification or could the police use it? There are privacy issues and I have not seen the full details of this latest scheme.
|
|
|
|
