A total of 920 criminal investigations were assisted last year as a result of “hits” on the State’s DNA database, according to official figures.
The latest annual report of the DNA Database System Oversight Committee reveals 759 DNA samples from either suspects and offenders or crime scenes were matched with forensic evidence from one or more other crime scenes by officials from Forensic Science Ireland during 2021.
It claimed the crime solving capacity of the DNA database was continuing to grow and by the end of last year, 48 out of every 100 crime scene samples were linked to a person.
Read More: Hero brother tried to save sister before both died in Kerry drowning tragedy
DNA technology is used to assist in the investigation of a range of crimes including murder and sexual assault, while together with other forms of trace evidence such as paint, glass and textile fibres is used in other types of criminal investigations including burglaries, robberies, firearms and the illegal supply of drugs.
The number of individual DNA profiles of suspects and convicted offenders on the database increased by 20% during 2021 – up from 36,196 in 2020 to 43,471.
At the end of last year, there were also 9,727 DNA profiles from crime scenes on the database as well as 4,559 profiles from gardaí and other personnel who attend crime scenes for elimination purposes.
In addition, there were 946 profiles of individuals including missing persons, relatives and unidentified human remains.
The report noted that 11,402 DNA samples were destroyed during 2021, while 5,671 profiles were removed from the database.
The number of cases submitted to FSI by gardaí last year exceeded 25,600 – an increase of 55% compared to 2018 levels.
FSI issued more than 23,800 forensic reports during the course of last year – up 85% on 2018 figures.
The report said the increase was linked to the dramatic growth in DNA services over the period as well as the rise in the number of drug reports.
FSI is involved in a shared database of DNA profiles with 11 other countries including three which were added last year – Malta, Germany and France.
The report said the results from sharing DNA had been mutually positive for all participating countries, while the sharing of data with the UK had yielded “significant results.”
A total of 484 hits were obtained last year between DNA from scenes of crime in the Republic and individuals on the DNA databases of other countries, with the UK accounting for 85% of the total.
A total of 337 DNA samples from crime scenes in other countries were also linked to individuals on the Irish database and 56 samples from crime scenes in the Republic.
The report said the operation of the DNA Database System continued to be very successful due in large part to the hard work and professionalism of Forensic Science Ireland and the Garda National Forensic Coordination Office despite the significant challenges presented by the pandemic.
The committee’s chairperson, Judge Catherine Murphy, said issues which needed to be kept under active review included the robustness and security of FSI’s hardware and IT systems which were central to the successful and safe functioning of the DNA database as well as the operations of the legislation governing the taking of samples from gardaí for elimination purposes and from convicted offenders which had been impacted by the pandemic.
The committee also welcomed progress on the development of a new state-of-the-art, forensic laboratory at Backweston, Co Kildare which is scheduled to be fully operational by summer 2023 as staff are relocated from their current base at Garda headquarters in Phoenix Park.
READ NEXT:
Expert sounds winter blackout alarm as Ireland 'least prepared' for winter energy crisis
Drivers warned not to press button in car as it increases 'fuel usage by 20 percent'
Money expert urges people to turn on heating now so they can save in winter months
Man hospitalised as gardai called to Irish leisure centre after row breaks out
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
