DNA database ‘hits’ in 1,100 crime cases

Forensic evidence helping to nail more suspects

MORE than 1,100 inquiries were assisted last year by the DNA database matching suspects’ samples with forensic evidence from crime scenes.

The annual report of the DNA Database System Oversight Committee revealed 1,102 Garda investigations benefitted from 856 “hits” identified by Forensic Science Ireland officials.

This is almost 100 cases more than in 2019.

The committee chairperson Judge Catherine Murphy said the crimesolving capacity of the database is continuing to grow with 47% of crime scene samples linked to an individual in 2020 – up from

43% the previous year.

The number of DNA profiles of suspects and offenders increased by 31% to 36,196 – a net addition of almost 9,000.

The database also contains 8,337 profiles of unknown persons taken from crime scenes.

The report stated 11,569 DNA samples were destroyed last year and 5,576 profiles removed from the database as required under legislation.

It also revealed FSI established 495 matches as a result of an exchange programme of information with eight other countries including the UK, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden. The list of participating EU member states is set to expand during 2021.

Some 313 cases involved matching DNA material from a crime scene in Ireland with the profile of someone on the database of another country. In addition, 147 cases linked DNA from a foreign crime scene with an individual on the Irish database while 35 profiles matched a crime scene in Ireland with another one abroad.

Judge Murphy welcomed the fact concerns raised in the 2019 annual report had been addressed including the non-submission by gardai of DNA samples over a specified period.

And she welcomed progress on the development of a new state-of-theart forensic laboratory at Backweston, Co Kildare, scheduled for completion next summer.

The judge added: “To an ever increasing extent, the development and success of our criminal justice system is dependent on the effectiveness and integrity of the DNA database system and on the ability of appropriate staff members to respond in a timely and professional manner to the requirements of

criminal investigations.”