DNA sampling ‘will help solve rape cases’

THE head of the Forensic Science Laboratory, who will oversee the planned DNA database, has described how a mass “screening” or sampling of people may be carried out to help solve rape cases.

Director of the state laboratory Dr Sheila Willis played down suggestions that storing people’s genetic codes could impact on the rights of the innocent.

Investigators will only be able to match DNA profiles or codes on the database and not search for characteristics of suspects like hair colour or ethnicity.