Low Copy Pseudo-Science Must be Consigned to History - RSF

national | crime and justice | press release Monday January 14, 2008 21:40 by Richard Walsh - Republican Sinn Féin

Republican Sinn Féin have expressed concern that Low Copy Number DNA analysis is to be resumed in England and Wales.

LOW COPY PSEUDO-SCIENCE MUST BE CONSIGNED TO HISTORY - RSF

The revelation that a review instigated by the Crown Prosecution Service has cleared the way for continued use of Low Copy Number DNA is a worrying development, Republican Sinn Féin has said. The technique was dismissed by National Publicity Officer, Richard Walsh, as “pseudo-science”.

Mr. Walsh said, “Low Copy Number DNA analysis was recently shown to be a wholly discredited technique. Nonetheless, it was in the interests of the CPS to reach the conclusion that they did with regard to cases in England and Wales. Likewise, the review instigated in the Six Occupied Counties by Hugh Orde is unlikely to dismiss a technique which enabled the RUC to incarcerate those who remain opposed to English rule in Ireland.

“This pseudo-science identified a schoolboy in Nottingham as the manufacturer of a bomb planted in Lisburn. Even those involved in the forensic analysis accepted that this could not have been the case. And yet they persist in claiming that LCN DNA analysis is reliable.

“The credentials of this method as an evidential tool are rejected by the overwhelming majority of jurisdictions throughout the globe. It is inconceivable that anyone can now have faith in convictions based upon the use of Low Copy Number or other Low Template DNA analysis.

“Great responsibility now lies with the Interim Forensic Science Regulator when they present their findings which are due in late February. They must have the integrity to finally consign LCN DNA analysis to history.”