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The Institute also produces occasional newsletters and short informative articles. Copies are sent to its subscribers by e-mail. Subscription is Free and your details will not be passed on to a third party.

How did THAT get there - the new DNA challenge?

Current technologies, even the ‘standard’ profiling method, are capable of detecting picograms (pg = 0.000000000001g) of DNA; that’s about the equivalent of a millionth of a grain of salt. It is hardly surprising to learn that, once it is established that the most likely source of DNA is from a particular person, the next step in crime investigation is to try to establish how it got there. (April 2009)

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Accreditation of Forensic Practitioners

The Forensic Regulator has sought comment on his paper, “ A Review of the Options for the Accreditation of Forensic Practitioners”. This response is made on behalf of The Forensic Institute, and as such, sets out some background material as to the role of the defence expert, and discusses how accreditation issues relate to the policy and practise of providing a defence perspective in forensic science. (April 2009)

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So you think DNA is objective?

DNA is widely perceived as objective scientific evidence in criminal trials and thereby being perceived by jurors are compelling evidence. If only! (April 2009)

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Sean Hodgson and the implications for DNA appeals

After serving 27 years of a sentence for a conviction of rape and murder Sean Hodgson was released in March 2008 following the discovery that DNA from a semen sample taken from the victim at the time did not actually match him. This case achieved wide publicity in the UK and will undoubtedly enhance the reputation of DNA as evidence. (March 2009)

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DNA Database issues

Three killers have been convicted this month of appalling crimes. Two were implicated through DNA profiling. The aftermath has seen renewed calls for both a universal DNA database and the death penalty, bolstered by a belief that advances in scientific evidence would eliminate the risk of wrongful convictions. Keeping everyone's DNA profile in the universal database could make a significant impact on the investigation of crime. But there are also cogent reasons why it would increase the risk of convicting innocent people. (2008)

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