Scientists claim DNA breakthrough can deliver identikit of historic suspects
Massively Parallel Sequencing ( MPS) is able to extract far more detail – including eye and hair colour, and ethnic background – from DNA samples left at crime scenes.
Now the Scottish Po l i c e Authority is looking into what benefits the new technique would bring to investigating major crimes.
Forensic scientist Laurence De v e s s e, o f K i n g’s Co l l e g e London, has carried out research funded by the Royal Commission on using MPS to improve the chances of identifying a suspect. She said: “Profiles currently on existing databases have very poor predictive power for ancestry. The police forces using MPS now are very much using it for cold cases. “You can go back and say that, looking at this DNA, it appears you’re looking for someone with European ancestry and blond hair and blue eyes.
“They might look back through it and say, hang on, there was someone involved in that case who could fit that criteria.
“All of these are basically the same information an eyewitness could give you.”
The current system of DNA analysis used by Br i tish police forces relies on
an individual’s unique genetic features rather than ones which are commonly shared.
But Massively Parallel Sequencing ( MPS) gives “much more depth of information” and allows scientists to examine 200 areas of DNA compared to the 24 currently analysed in Scotland.
It is much more effective than existing technology at separating out the individual profiles from crime scenes where there is a mix of DNA from different people. Introducing MPS in Scotland would require the go-ahead of the soon- to- be- appointed Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, which will oversee police and criminal justice use of data, including DNA. It has already sparked concerns about race discrimination and privacy issues.
Dr Ben Berkman, head of ethics of genetics and emerging technologies at the National Institutes of Health’s Department of Bioethics in the US, warned that advances in DNA techniques could cause “group harms.”
He said: “You worry about group harms, so racial or ethnic profiling, and then targeting a specific population because it l ooks like there’s a match between the crime scene sample and that population.
“Then you really run the risk that you harass that population when you’re not at all sure, as just because there’s a sample at a crime scene doesn’t mean that person committed the crime.
“It could also surface underlying prejudices that already exist in society.”
Dr Calum Mackellar, director of re s e a rc h at th e Scottish Council on Human Bioethics, said improvements in technology brought advantages, but also privacy issues.
He said: “It’s not just a question of looking at the advantages but also the possible risks in the future.
“The real problem here is privacy and how much information the police will know about us.” Tom Nelson, director of the Scottish Police Authority’s forensic services, said: “Forensic Services SPA is aware of the development of Massively Parallel Sequencing and is researching any potential benefits that this new technique may bring to the investigation of major crime.
“Before considering any potential use of MPS, we would want to ensure it meets all quality standards, is validated and accredited and meets the expectations of the new office of Scottish Biometrics Commissioner to ensure it complies fully with its Code of Practice, in line with the Scottish Biometrics Bill currently before the Scottish Parliament.”
After enduring years of grief and sorrow after the sudden loss of her mum to cancer, in 2008 Sarah was at a crossroads in life. She could continue down a destructive path filled with unhealthy distractions from her pain, or
Corbetts in Sutherland. I just felt so alive, and like I could achieve anything I wanted to – all I had to do is put my mind to it.”
Today, on Mother’s Day, thinking of her mum, Sarah says she’ll take a walk and remember how listening to her advice kept her alive, and hopes more people will do the same.
“My story is a very human story,” she said. “Grief is something all of us go through, but it’s how you deal with the hardships that counts. I would encourage anybody to go outside and get walking.”
Just Another Mountain: A Memoir of Hope by Sarah Jane Douglas is published by Elliott & Thompson, £9.99, on Thursday
smcdonald@sundaypost.com
They spoke together on the World Day of Prayer and, together with the Humanist S o c i e t y, w h i c h brings together those with no religious beliefs, delivered a simple message: stay calm, have hope, and help others. The Anglican and Catholic churches and the Church of Scotland have announced that all gatherings and worship, including Easter Services, are cancelled. Some churches will be open for private prayer with worshippers urged to observe strict health and hygiene guidelines. Many churches are hoping to connect with congregants on line. The Church of Scotland has also announced special measures around funerals and weddings.
T h e Mu s l i m Co u n c i l of Britain has invoked a UK- wide curb on public services while the British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis ordered the closure of all synagogues affiliated with United Synagogue – the largest network of Orthodox synagogues in the country, stating that the “extraordinar y times called for extraordinary measures”.
Meanwhile, across Britain, the public is being asked to take part in a day of prayer and action on coronavirus and on this Mothering Sunday light a candle in their windows at 7pm. The call has been issued by the presidents of the ecumenical grouping Churches Together in England, supported by the Church of Scotland, and the Evangelical Alliance.
It asks for all to pray for those working to contain the virus, the government, health care workers and the vulnerable. And it urges people to support others where they can, stressing that, despite the “lock down”, everyone still had the liberty of their hearts, souls and minds. In a joint statement, the leaders said: “We have the great privilege and freedom to be able to call upon God, wherever we are for healing in our nation.” Meanwhile, Scotland’s main churches say only close family should attend funerals during the coronavirus pandemic. The Church of Scotland said, on funerals: “The key phrase here is to minimise social contact. Sensitive conversations will need to take place with families and mourners ahead of ceremonies, and to consider the size of groups gathering for funerals.” Meanwhile, BBC Scotland has said virtual church services will be screened with the first thoughts, readings and prayers being broadcast today.
The crisis of the coronavirus pandemic has underlined why the humanist values of treating everyone with respect, love, tolerance and kindness are at the centre of living a compassionate and reasoned life.
At times of trouble, we can only survive with the help, goodwill and compassion of others. Never has that been more true than today, and as humanists we should do all we can for our fellow human beings.
It’s hard to say what the world will look like once the crisis of the coronavirus has passed. But if we all work together as a global family, we could step out into a world that in some ways has changed for the better. If we pull together now to protect each other and those who are most vulnerable, we will have set a valuable precedent for how we go forward as individuals, societies, and globally as the human race.
It is not hard to make a difference, even now. If you can help others while keeping yourself safe, please do. Shopping, cooking a meal and leaving it on a neighbour’s doorstep, phoning self-isolated friends and family for a blether, chatting online, making sure people have entertainment in their homes...all of these small acts will make a huge difference to anyone who is unwell, lonely, or afraid. And if you need help, then ask in the certain knowledge that humanity is good and you too shall be offered help. Think for yourself – be led by robust science, use reason, be reasonable. And please, act for everybody.