A/HRC/15/26 separately. European Union Directive 95/46/EC on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, although currently under review, is illuminating in that regard: personal data must be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purposes for which they are collected and/or further processed, and kept in a form which permits identification of the data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the data were collected or for which they are further processed.13 62. It seems clear enough as a standard that the retention period should not exceed the purpose for which personal data and biological samples were collected. However, there are instances in which retention periods can be long or possibly even indefinite. In particular, in the context of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide it may be necessary to preserve forensic evidence for a long time and in a manner that protects its integrity. IV. Conclusions 63. This report demonstrates that the use of forensic experts, and in particular the use of forensic genetics and the voluntary creation of genetic databanks, have a crucial role to play in identifying victims of serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. The report reveals the need to: (a) raise awareness of forensic genetics as enabling governments to comply with human rights obligations, in particular but not exclusively in the missing persons context, and (b) to refer to the requirement that such efforts be based on objective scientific methods to the maximum extent possible and ensure respect for human dignity and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the collection, processing, use and storage of human genetic data. 64. In that light, Human Rights Council resolution 10/26 on forensic genetics and human rights constitutes a necessary first step to providing guidance on a highly important and sensitive matter, as it directly refers the issue back to human rights as the ultimately decisive body of law. 13 16 Article 6.