EP/D036453/1 DNA Profiling Crime Feasibility Study

Detaining and prosecuting suspects is a high priority, particularly in the serious and acquisitive crime areas, since repeat offences may put lives at risk and have significant resource implications. The use of STR profiling has had tremendous impact on forensic DNA analysis in recent years, allowing both the identification of individuals and their correlation with crime-scene samples (it is the basis of the National DNA database). However, current technology requires DNA extraction, amplification, and lengthy gel-based separation and analysis so this process is confined to costly specialist analytical laboratories. It is a requirement of police forces to be able to identify people rapidly in order to charge before release, hence the introduction of LiveScan for the rapid analysis of traditional fingerprints. No such system is currently available for DNA fingerprints. Consequently, suspects may be released and later found to be associated with a serious crime and even re-offend or disappear. Significant cost is incurred in trying to re-arrest such individuals. The solution would be to obtain a DNA profile whilst the individual is still in custody, to work in parallel with Live Scan. LGC's HyBeacon technology is used with PCR to deliver very rapid genetic tests within 15-30 minutes by producing a fluorescent (light) signal. It has been successfully used in molecular genetics to analyse mutations. HyBeacon tests can be developed for STRs, indeed we have already demonstrated direct from saliva amplification and analysis in a simple system. However, a significant effort is now required to adapt existing HyBeacon chemistry to analyse complex STRs with high discriminatory power. At this point it will be possible for police to prove the identity of suspects while they remain detained.