Forensic Science Service boosts crime detection

A “revolutionary” HIGH VOLUME CRIME DETECTION technique branded ‘DNAboost’ that separates out mixed or poor quality samples of DNA is being piloted by the Forensic Science Service (FSS).

The new technique – about to be put into practice by the West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Northumbria and Humberside Constabularies – is said to be a “world first in bringing clarity to a type of sample that was previously difficult to interpret”.

Where more than one individual has touched a surface – the arm of a chair, for example – previous technology had a low success rate in distinguishing one person from another, particularly where only small amounts of DNA have been left behind (or the material found is of poor quality). Breakthrough new techniques developed at the FSS are set to boost crime detection rates by upwards of 15%.

‘DNAboost’ will be the biggest step change in DNA analysis and interpretation since the FSS conceived and introduced Low Copy Number, which itself enabled a match to be found from a minute sample of cells. The use of the two techniques together could hold the key to unlocking countless ‘cold’ cases that have lain dormant in police files for many years. Indeed, scientists estimate that using the two in conjunction could double the number of ‘cold’ cases solved.

Paul Hackett – DNA manager at the FSS – told SMT: “We’ve been able to demonstrate an increased rate of interpretation even in those areas that have traditionally proven to be most difficult.”

The ‘DNAboost’ pilot is to run for three months.