The police are adding record numbers of children and teenagers to the National DNA Database - as youth crime soars.
In the last six months alone details of nearly 38,000 young people have been put into the computer, including nearly 4,000 under-16s.
The most samples were taken in London, where the DNA of 4,625 under 18s have been added to the database since October 2007.
In the West Midlands 2,507 DNA samples were recorded and in Greater Manchester 1,935.
The youngsters represent nearly a quarter of all samples taken.
In total, the UK now holds nearly five million profiles - the world's biggest DNA list.
The new figures have outraged civil rights campaigners.
Shami Chakrabarti, of human rights campaign group Liberty, said: "Too many innocent children are used as guinea pigs and scapegoats in a debate where they have no vote and no voice.
"These shocking figures demonstrate just how many children are being dragged into the criminal justice system by the Government.
"We are turning into a Big Brother society that is adding thousands of kids a month to a database when they are not even old enough to have a National Insurance number."
Police argue the database helps solve crimes. But Liberal Democrat justice spokesman Jenny Willott said: "People who have never been charged or convicted for an offence should have their DNA removed from the database."
Crime reduction charity Nacro claims police are even putting youngsters they would once have "ticked-off" onto the DNA register.
A Home Office spokesman said: "Those who are innocent have nothing to fear from providing a sample.
"Under-18s make up about a quarter of arrests, so the figures should not be unexpected.
"It is crucially important the police have access to DNA intelligence to ensure that young people who commit crimes are detected as soon as possible."
No. of under -18s added to list since October
Met. Police Area 4,625
West Midlands 2,507
Greater Manchester 1,935
Hampshire 1,896
West Yorks 1,668
Kent 1,285
Gloucester 1,268
Gwent 945
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