MOSCOW, November 23 (RIA Novosti) – Uzbekistan will create a national DNA database to help track and fight crime, a spokesperson for the country’s Legislative Chamber told RIA Novosti Friday.

The parliament is expected to formulate a law “on genetic registration,” which will establish a legal basis for the collection and storage of citizens’ biological samples, by 2013.

The plan, approved by the government last week, is sponsored by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Justice, the spokesperson said, and will “serve as a deterrent against those convicted of crime and will have preventive value” on crime in Uzbekistan.

While the spokesman said DNA registration, which will be overseen by interior officials, will be voluntary, it will be required of those convicted of or currently serving a sentence for grave crimes.