MORE COLD CASE KILLERS COULD BE FEELING THE HEAT
Irish forensic lab boss tells of new analysis methods
MORE cold cases killers like Noel Long could be put behind bars thanks to the advancements in technology, a top boffin has said.
Dr Dyan Daly, director of physical analysis at Forensic Science Ireland, revealed the ability to “discriminate colours in fibres” helped nail the brute in 2023, 42 years after he murdered mum-of-three Nora Sheehan.
His trial last year heard that fibres recovered from her clothing along with nail scrapings matched those taken from a carpet inside a car that was associated with Long who was eventually jailed for life.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror, Dr Daly said: “The ability to discriminate colours in fibres is definitely something that helped solve the Noel Long case very recently.
“Cold cases are being helped through the assistance of modern technology and Noel Long is an example of that.”
Dr Daly also said forensic science was key in securing a conviction against Gavin Ryan for shooting Clifford Power in Waterford in 2019.
She explained CCTV showed a man wearing a Hugo Boss tracksuit top entering a shop and purchasing a orange juice, a yoghurt, and cigarettes using a €50 note.
The victim was then shot at close range by a man wearing a Hugo Boss tracksuit top and two bullet casings were found at the scene.
Following the shooting, a dog walker noticed two men throwing something into a waste ground, which was later found to be a Hugo Boss tracksuit top after a search by
We were able to get DNA profiles from the spoon in the yoghurt pot DR DYAN DALY EXPERT AT FORENSIC SCIENCE IRELAND
gardai. Firearm residue was found on the top and the spent bullet casings.
Gardai raided Ryan’s apartment and found a bottle of orange juice and the yoghurt pot.
Dr Daly said: “We were able to get DNA profiles from the spoon in the yoghurt pot.
“There was blood on the €50 note and there were fingerprints on the orange bottle as well. And we identified them all back to the same source [Ryan].”
Dr Daly, who joined Forensic Science Ireland in 2001, said the DNA database which was created in 2015 has been a huge help in fighting crime.
But she revealed an even better fingerprint system will come into play this year which has the potential to yield new results on old cases.
The scientist said the database also has the ability to drum up an “investigative lead” for gardai when they have no suspects.
Dr Daly said: “That means now we have a repository of DNA profiles from people and then we have a repository of unsolved crimes and DNA... so that helps solve crime internally within Ireland.”
She also said the TV shows depict forensic scientists cracking cases by
MURDERED themselves but stressed this is not the case in the real world.
Dr Daly said: “[Shows like CSI] solve everything as if they’re the only part of the investigation.
“We are the only people who do the science, but our report sits with all of the work from the garda investigation team… so we don’t see ourselves as solving crimes.
“We definitely help with investigative leads and we use science and robust methods to help… but it doesn’t happen in 45 minutes.”