DNA ANALYSIS
Brief History of Forensic DNA Typing
In April 1953 Watson and Crick published a model of the DNA helix in a one page letter to ‘Nature’. It began with the now famous under statement: “We wish to suggest a structure for the salt of deoxyribose nucleic acid (D.N.A.). This structure has novel features which are of considerable biological interest”.
1984 Alec Jefferies and colleagues develop genetic fingerprinting - using DNA to positively identify individuals.
1986 The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is first described in scientific literature. PCR enabled scientists to rapidly multiply small areas of DNA.
1987 In the UK forensic investigators use DNA testing to help solve the ‘Black Pad’ murders and to identify the killer as Colin Pitchfork, who later confessed to the crimes. This marks the first case in which DNA evidence is used to determine the identity of a murderer and it also involved a mass screen. In addition this also marks the first case in which a prime suspect was exonerated due to DNA evidence.
1994 Dublin laboratory began using DNA technology.
The first case involving DNA evidence is heard in the Irish courts. DPP V Mark Lawlor.
1995 PCR and DNA fingerprinting play a starring role in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. The Forensic Science Service starts the UK National DNA database. www.forensic.gov.uk/
1998 The FBI launches its national database. www.fbi.gov/
2003 The Irish Attorney General requested the Law Reform Commission to consider the establishment of a National DNA Database. www.lawreform.ie
2007 Legislation dealing with the establishment of a database before Dáil Éireann.
2010 New Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2010 published by the Minster for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D.