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21/02/2007
Review launched into DNA evidence
Thousands of criminal cases involving DNA samples are to be reviewed by police forces in England in Wales, it has been reported.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) has written to the chief constables of every police force in the country in order to examine cases between 2000 and 2005 where DNA samples played a central role.
It is understood that the cases being examined would involve Low Copy Number DNA samples, which involve tiny traces of DNA. These have only been detectable by using new techniques available since 2001.
According to a joint statement issued by the Home Office and Acpo, the need to re-examine the cases stemmed from the differences in the way that forensic suppliers were using the new techniques to examine forensic material.
An unspecified number of cases will be examined, but the Home Office said that the cases concerned would involve DNA tests where no match was found. This means that the chance to convict someone who was guilty may have been missed in some cases, rather than an innocent person being convicted.
(KMcA/EF)
The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) has written to the chief constables of every police force in the country in order to examine cases between 2000 and 2005 where DNA samples played a central role.
It is understood that the cases being examined would involve Low Copy Number DNA samples, which involve tiny traces of DNA. These have only been detectable by using new techniques available since 2001.
According to a joint statement issued by the Home Office and Acpo, the need to re-examine the cases stemmed from the differences in the way that forensic suppliers were using the new techniques to examine forensic material.
An unspecified number of cases will be examined, but the Home Office said that the cases concerned would involve DNA tests where no match was found. This means that the chance to convict someone who was guilty may have been missed in some cases, rather than an innocent person being convicted.
(KMcA/EF)
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