New figures show that police in Devon and Cornwall took DNA samples from nineteen children every week in 2011.
More than a thousand under-17s had the samples taken from them that year - and a small number of them were primary school age.
The statistics have been compiled by the Howard League for Penal Reform who campaign for fewer people in prison and a more effective criminal justice system.
The numbers of young people tested have fallen by more than 300 on the previous year .. but the charity say it's still a waste of money and resources.
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