The Justice Ministry plans to build a national DNA database to help police solve crime, identify suspects and bring them to justice.

Justice permanent secretary Kittipong Kityarak co-signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the ministry and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a joint effort to build the first DNA database in Thailand.

The ministry aims to collect DNA samples from 100,000 volunteer prisoners over three years, Mr Kittipong said on Monday.

Under the agreement, FBI Laboratory directorChris Hassell will help the Justice Ministry withthe process of collecting and collatingDNA samples.

Mr Kittipong said the DNA database will be kept and used by the Forensic Science Department to help solve crimes and track down suspects. The Royal Thai Police Office will also be able to access the database.

He said the planned database would help bring suspects of violent crimes to justice, and at the same time help protect citizens from falling victim to criminals.

The justice permanent secretary stressed that the DNA database would play an important role in solving crime.

Currently, 44 countries -- including China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan -- have passed legislation allowing the use of DNA databases, he said.

Mr.Kittipong said Thailand woulduseCODIS DNA software designed by the FBI andcurrently being used in 39 countries.

It could be used to match DNA samples taken from a crime scene withthe DNA database.

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Thailand to build DNA database