A number of police officers are refusing to give DNA samples to the national forensic institute NFI data bank, the Gelderlander newspaper reports on Friday.

The paper says 300 out of over 1,200 detectives are refusing to voluntarily give their DNA to the NFI so it can be used for elimination purposes during investigations.

The chairman of the ACP police union said detectives should be allowed to refuse to give their DNA. ‘They have the right to be protected,’ Gerrit van de Kamp said. ‘Giving DNA is a major breach of your personal freedom.’

News agency De Persdienst says some investigations are being delayed because detectives cannot be ruled out as suspects.

Van der Kamp says detectives could be asked to donate their DNA if relevant for a certain case. ‘You can do it on a case-by-case basis and destroy the sample afterwards,’ he said.

In addition, many other people visit a crime scene, including ambulance workers, firemen and public prosecution department staff. ‘Where does it all end?’ Van der Kamp said.