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| Omagh verdict sparks DNA review | Omagh verdict sparks DNA review |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The Crown Prosecution Service is to review all cases which included use of Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA testing. | The Crown Prosecution Service is to review all cases which included use of Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA testing. |
| The decision comes in light of the Omagh bombing verdict, which saw Sean Hoey cleared of 58 charges, including the murders of 29 people. | The decision comes in light of the Omagh bombing verdict, which saw Sean Hoey cleared of 58 charges, including the murders of 29 people. |
| The CPS has not put a figure on the number of cases involved or when the review would be completed. | The CPS has not put a figure on the number of cases involved or when the review would be completed. |
| The Forensic Science Service said it has used LCN around 21,000 times, but not all would have meant a prosecution. | The Forensic Science Service said it has used LCN around 21,000 times, but not all would have meant a prosecution. |
| Not all of these tests were for UK police forces. | |
| LCN is a relatively recent development of DNA science which allows analysis of tiny samples of skin cells, sweat and other bodily fluids. | |
| Northern Ireland's Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, said he had instigated an immediate review of all cases involving LCN evidence after its use was rejected in the Omagh trial by the judge. | |
| 'Vital ingredient' | |
| This was because it was not seen to be at a sufficiently scientific level as yet to be considered evidence. | |
| Sir Hugh said: "I have asked for an urgent review of all cases that rely in any way, shape or form on Low Copy Number DNA." | |
| He said it was at the very cutting edge of science and had been used in the case because of his determination to build a case. | |
| But Sir Hugh said: "It is a vital ingredient of cases in the future which will bring very guilty people to justice." | |
| At the heart of the case against Mr Hoey were the bomb timers used in the attacks. | |
| Forensic scientists had examined them for both fibres and DNA using the LCN technique. | |
| The prosecution claimed the forensic examination had shown links to Mr Hoey, a south Armagh electrician. |