Civil liberties groups have warned against the compilation of a national DNA database of the entire British population for use in the fight against crime.

The move came as the architect of genetic fingerprinting called for the creation of a complete database of the population's DNA.

Speaking at the National Association of Science Festival, professor Sir Alec Jeffreys has warned that the present system, which allows for DNA samples of crime suspects to be held, is discriminatory.

"With the current DNA database of criminals there's been a recent extension to include suspects who've been committed of no crime at all - I think on the assumption that at some stage in the future these people may commit a criminal offence," he told the BBC.

"In my view that is discriminatory. My other concern is that some forensic scientists are now beginning to look for physical characteristics; genetic determinates of hair and eye colour, ethnic group as well - to get some indication of the physical appearance of a person where you have no clear suspect.

"The use of this sort of very private genetic information by the police does fill me with considerable concern."

Instead, professor Jeffreys recommends that basic genetic information that identifies an individual be held, rather than that which determines such characteristics as appearance or susceptibility to an illness.

However, civil liberties groups have claimed that such a move would be "disproportionate."

"Dr Jeffreys makes interesting points when he says that the retention of suspects' DNA is discriminatory and that the DNA database should not be relied upon for evidence as it contains too many inaccuracies," said Liberty policy spokesman Gareth Crossman.

"However, his solution, which is to retain details of every person's DNA is a huge concern. Identification is only an issue in a tiny number of usually high profile cases.

"In the vast majority of criminal cases the police know exactly who they think has committed the offence. The issue is whether they can amass sufficient evidence.

"A national DNA database is a wholly disproportionate response."