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Omagh verdict sparks DNA review Omagh verdict sparks DNA review
(30 minutes later)
Cases which used a controversial DNA testing technique in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are to be reviewed. Cases using a controversial DNA testing technique in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are to be reviewed.
It follows the Omagh bomb verdict, when Sean Hoey was cleared of 58 charges, including the murders of 29 people.It follows the Omagh bomb verdict, when Sean Hoey was cleared of 58 charges, including the murders of 29 people.
The Crown Prosecution Service has not said how many cases involving Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA will be reviewed. The Crown Prosecution Service said it would be current cases in England and Wales involving Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA that will be reviewed.
Northern Ireland's Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, also said he had instigated an immediate review of all cases involving LCN evidence. Northern Ireland's Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, also said he had instigated an immediate review.
The CPS will only be examining current cases that are active, rather than historical ones. The Forensic Science Quality Regulator, set up by the Home Office, will be carrying out the examinations.
The Forensic Science Quality Regulator, set up by the Home Office, will be carrying out the case reviews.
The BBC's Michael Buchanan said that the Association of Chief Police Officers produced a confidential report in August which called for the technique to be urgently reviewed.The BBC's Michael Buchanan said that the Association of Chief Police Officers produced a confidential report in August which called for the technique to be urgently reviewed.
'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.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.At the heart of the case against Mr Hoey were the bomb timers used in the attacks.
It is a vital ingredient of cases in the future which will bring very guilty people to justice Chief Constable Hugh Orde Forensic scientists had examined them for both fibres and DNA using the LCN technique.It is a vital ingredient of cases in the future which will bring very guilty people to justice Chief Constable Hugh Orde 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.The prosecution claimed the forensic examination had shown links to Mr Hoey, a south Armagh electrician.
The judge in the Omagh trial rejected LCN because it was not seen to be at a sufficiently scientific level as yet to be considered evidence.The judge in the Omagh trial rejected LCN 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 trial 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."
Previous casesPrevious cases
LCN testing has been used in a number of other high-profile cases.LCN testing has been used in a number of other high-profile cases.
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.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.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 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.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.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 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.The cases involved situations where there was "no result" in DNA tests, which would have meant that potentially a guilty person was not convicted.