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About PACE DNA samples
The PACE DNA Sampling Kit is used by police forces in England and Wales to collect buccal cells or hair from an arrested person under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (including all subsequent amendments and variations).
The buccal cells or hairs are used to create a reference DNA profile for loading, searching or comparison against the National DNA Database for the detection, investigation, prosecution, and prevention of crime.
This kit must not be used for sampling victims, witnesses, or volunteers. DNA can only be taken from persons arrested for a recordable offence and aged 10 years or over.
The National DNA Database is owned, governed, and managed by the Forensic Information Databases Service
How to take DNA samples
Taking a sample of buccal cells from inside the cheeks of the donor using the omni swabs provided in the kit is the preferred sampling method. Only one sample type (mouth swabs or hairs) needs to be collected.
It is essential that you follow the instructions for the taking of mouth swabs and hair samples very carefully. Failure to do so may result in rejection of the DNA sample/profile during quality assurance processes within your Force Forensic Services Department, the processing laboratory or FINDS.
PACE DNA instructions
This instruction sheet is contained within each PACE DNA sampling kit. It describes the kit contents and how to use them.
PACE DNA form
Each PACE DNA Sampling Kit also contains this green coloured PACE DNA FORM which must be completed in full and correspond with the details held against the Arrest Summons Number on PNC/LEDS.
Report an issue
If you are taking a DNA sample from an arrested person and would like to feedback any issues with the kit, please log a fault here.
Please note this is not a 24 hour service and you should seek advice from your supervision in urgent circumstances.