OMAGH BOMB TRIAL: DNA TEST METHOD SAFE
Omagh bomb trial: DNA test method 'safe'
But technology is 'not used effectively'
CONTROVERSIAL DNA technology - which was heavily criticised during the failed Omagh bombing trial - is scientifically sound, an independent review today concluded.
However, the review - carried out after Omagh trial judge Reg Weir raised serious questions about the reliability of Low Copy Number DNA - has found that the technology is not being used as effectively as it might.
The PSNI suspended its use of LCN testing after Mr Justice Weir questioned its scientific credibility but the technique continued to be used by prosecutors in England and Wales.
Professor Brian Caddy, who led the review, said the technique is fundamentally safe.
Low template testing can build up a DNA profile from just a few cells, which can be deposited by something as simple as holding a glass or door handle but are too small for standard DNA profiling.
Today, the Caddy Review made 21 recommendations for improving the use of low template testing, among which are the establishment of a programme to educate police scenes of crime and forensics officers on collecting samples for low template analysis; national standards for the interpretation of low template results and the development of an advisory panel to guide the courts on how to interpret low template DNA evidence.
Any DNA profile obtained using low template techniques should be presented to a jury in a criminal trial with caveats, the report said.
Professor Caddy said the report's authors are happy that the science of low template DNA testing is sound and secure.
"We also believe that the work on the interpretation of DNA is good, but needs to be developed more," he said.
"The drive is towards the setting of standards of recovering DNA from crime scenes, and having set those standards, making sure they are properly implemented."
Andrew Rennison, the Forensic Science Regulator, said he is confident that the technique is safe for use in the courts.
"Scientific evidence has to be considered on a case-by-case basis by the prosecution, defence and the experts, and you can never say the science in a case proves something absolutely," he said.
"I'm perfectly satisfied that we should be using these techniques.
"I'm satisfied the science is safe and fit for purpose, but there is work to be done around collection and interpretation."
He refused to comment on previous occasions, such as the trial of Sean Hoey for the Omagh bombing, where low template testing was called into question.
"I'm not concerned about previous cases or current cases. I'm concerned with producing something that's better than it is now," he said.
But technology is 'not used effectively'
CONTROVERSIAL DNA technology - which was heavily criticised during the failed Omagh bombing trial - is scientifically sound, an independent review today concluded.
However, the review - carried out after Omagh trial judge Reg Weir raised serious questions about the reliability of Low Copy Number DNA - has found that the technology is not being used as effectively as it might.
The PSNI suspended its use of LCN testing after Mr Justice Weir questioned its scientific credibility but the technique continued to be used by prosecutors in England and Wales.
Professor Brian Caddy, who led the review, said the technique is fundamentally safe.
Low template testing can build up a DNA profile from just a few cells, which can be deposited by something as simple as holding a glass or door handle but are too small for standard DNA profiling.
Today, the Caddy Review made 21 recommendations for improving the use of low template testing, among which are the establishment of a programme to educate police scenes of crime and forensics officers on collecting samples for low template analysis; national standards for the interpretation of low template results and the development of an advisory panel to guide the courts on how to interpret low template DNA evidence.
Any DNA profile obtained using low template techniques should be presented to a jury in a criminal trial with caveats, the report said.
Professor Caddy said the report's authors are happy that the science of low template DNA testing is sound and secure.
"We also believe that the work on the interpretation of DNA is good, but needs to be developed more," he said.
"The drive is towards the setting of standards of recovering DNA from crime scenes, and having set those standards, making sure they are properly implemented."
Andrew Rennison, the Forensic Science Regulator, said he is confident that the technique is safe for use in the courts.
"Scientific evidence has to be considered on a case-by-case basis by the prosecution, defence and the experts, and you can never say the science in a case proves something absolutely," he said.
"I'm perfectly satisfied that we should be using these techniques.
"I'm satisfied the science is safe and fit for purpose, but there is work to be done around collection and interpretation."
He refused to comment on previous occasions, such as the trial of Sean Hoey for the Omagh bombing, where low template testing was called into question.
"I'm not concerned about previous cases or current cases. I'm concerned with producing something that's better than it is now," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/1080
Published Date: 11-Apr-08
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