Gardaí face 12-week DNA test delays

THERE are delays of up to 12 weeks in processing DNA samples from crime scenes and suspects. This compares to five to seven days in Britain.

While gardaí in various parts of the country report the 12-week delay, the average is somewhere closer to seven or eight weeks.

The delays here are explained by a number of factors:

The Irish court system applies stringent demands for DNA evidence, requiring experts to give evidence personally.

Experienced staff are required to be personally involved in all aspects of a case to prove the chain of evidence.

The demands of priority investigations create backlogs in the system.

DNA samples are a vital part of any investigation and samples are sent to the State’s Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.

One senior garda based in the West said: “It takes a minimum of 12 weeks to come back. I cannot speak about the science but I suppose you want to be sure about it before it comes back.”

In one case in Galway, detectives investigating the rape of a woman waited nearly 10 weeks for the sample to be returned so a suspect could be interviewed. It is, however, up to the gardaí to specify if a case is a priority.

The unique nature of the court system here is a key reason for the difference between the two countries, according to Dr Maureen Smyth, who heads up the laboratory’s DNA section.

Courts here want staff to appear personally to be cross-examined and for that person to be able to answer questions on a sample’s complete history.

“We would work with much more personal responsibility,” said Dr Smyth. Courts in Britain rely more on written statements given by a variety of staff involved in the process.

The Forensic Science Service, which manages DNA samples from police forces across Britain, is open around the clock and has junior employees involved in parts of the process.

“Our system has its benefits but there is a disadvantage in terms of throughput. The British system is really streamlined,” said Dr Smyth.

While staff shortages are a problem, they are not as acute as three years ago, when industrial action was threatened over a lack of resources for the laboratory.

Another reason for delays in some cases is because of priority investigations.

“If a big case comes in, an urgent matter. say where gardaí have to talk to somebody then staff will drop all other cases,” Dr Smyth explained.

Another priority case would be where a body needs to be identified.

A priority sample can be processed in as little as two days. The record is less than one day.