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Omagh verdict sparks DNA review Omagh verdict sparks DNA review
(about 1 hour later)
Cases using 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 said it would review live prosecutions in England and Wales involving Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA. The Crown Prosecution Service said it would review live prosecutions in England and Wales using Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA which relies on tiny samples.
Northern Ireland's Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, also said he had instigated an immediate review. Northern Ireland's Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, also said he had instigated an immediate re-examination.
The Forensic Science Quality Regulator, set up by the Home Office, will be carrying out the examinations. The independent forensic science regulator will be carrying out the review.
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 post was created by the Home Office in July this year to monitor the standards of evidence provided by the Forensic Science Service (FSS) and other private sector companies.
'Vital ingredient' The BBC's Michael Buchanan said that the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) produced a confidential report in August which called for the technique to be urgently reviewed.
LCN is a relatively recent development of DNA science which allows analysis of tiny samples of skin cells, sweat and other bodily fluids. Grabbed clothing
At the heart of the case against Mr Hoey were the bomb timers used in the attacks. LCN allows genetic profiles of offenders to be created from very small tissue samples that have only been detectable with new techniques available since 1999.
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. These can be as tiny as a millionth the size of a grain of salt which can amount to as little as a few cells of skin or sweat left in a fingerprint.
The prosecution claimed the forensic examination had shown links to Mr Hoey, a south Armagh electrician. The FSS say they have used LCN DNA about 21,000 times and generated profiles from items such as matchsticks, weapon handles and grabbed clothing.
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. It is a vital ingredient of cases in the future which will bring very guilty people to justice Chief Constable Hugh Orde
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." The prosecution in the Omagh case claimed that LCN analysis had shown links between the bomb timers used in the attack and Mr Hoey, a south Armagh electrician.
But the judge rejected the use of the technique because it was not yet seen to be at a sufficiently scientific level to be considered evidence.
Following widespread criticism of Northern Ireland police by relatives of Omagh victims, 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 trial 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."
Tony Lake, spokesman for Acpo, said it was too early to comment in detail on the Omagh findings, but fully supported the role of the forensic science regulator.
"A prosecution is never pursued on the basis of DNA evidence alone. There must always be additional supporting evidence," Mr Lake said.
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.
Serial rapist Antoni Imiela was caught after his profile was obtained from minute traces of DNA from items of clothing.
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.
Traditional DNA profiles created using larger samples of genetic material will not be examined under the review.