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Omagh verdict sparks DNA review Omagh verdict sparks DNA review
(40 minutes later)
The Crown Prosecution Service is to review all cases which included use of Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA testing. All cases in England and Wales which included use of a controversial DNA testing technique are to be reviewed by the Crown Prosecution Service.
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 said how many cases involving Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA testing will be reviewed.
The CPS has not put a figure on the number of cases involved or when the review would be completed. It follows the Omagh bomb verdict, when Sean Hoey was cleared of 58 charges, including the murders of 29 people.
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 (FSS) 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. And not all of these tests were carried out 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''Vital ingredient'
LCN is a relatively recent development of DNA science which allows analysis of tiny samples of skin cells, sweat and other bodily fluids.
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.
Northern Ireland's Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, also 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.
This was because it was not seen to be at a sufficiently scientific level as yet to be considered evidence.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."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.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."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. Previous cases
Forensic scientists had examined them for both fibres and DNA using the LCN technique. LCN testing has been used in a number of other high-profile cases.
The prosecution claimed the forensic examination had shown links to Mr Hoey, a south Armagh electrician. It has been reported that it was this technique which was used by the FSS in Birmingham to examine DNA samples from the car hired by the McCanns.
And in 2000 Ian Lowther was convicted of the murder of Mary Gregson, who was walking along the Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath in August 1977.
The DNA LCN technique allowed scientists to go back and generate a DNA profile from an old semen stain originally found on the clothing.
The Association of Chief Police Officers wrote to the 43 chief constables in England and Wales in February about cases that may need re-investigating, from within a five-year period between 2000 and 2005.
That review was ordered over concerns that vital DNA samples may have been missed by the FSS, which could have used LCN testing.
The FSS was apparently applying the new LCN technique in a different way, meaning its scientists may have missed DNA evidence that other private forensic laboratories could have identified.
The cases involved situations where there was "no result" in DNA tests, which would have meant that potentially a guilty person was not convicted.