“DNA samples of people arrested for a recordable offence, even of juveniles, may be kept indefinitely even if they are not convicted. But in December 2008 the European Court of Human Rights ruled that indefinite and blanket retention of DNA samples of persons who have not been convicted was disproportionate and contrary to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.”
The Times, 15th April 2010
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk