DNA database 'one of the most important crime-fighting tools' as it snares 720 suspects

The cases included 31 sexual assaults and 21 aggravated burglaries.

More than 700 people were linked to crimes through the DNA database in 2019. File Picture.

More than 700 people were linked to crimes through the DNA database in 2019, including 31 sexual assaults and 21 aggravated burglaries.

And, in the first phase of Ireland sharing DNA profiles with other European countries, 17 crimes in Ireland were linked to people on an Austrian database, while seven crimes in Austria were linked to people on the Irish database. Sexual assaults were among the crimes in both jurisdictions.