Home Office to review cold cases
Tuesday, 11 September 2007 12:00 AM
The government is to review thousands of unsolved crimes as part of ongoing efforts to solve 'cold cases'.
Home Office minister Tony McNulty announced on Monday that the government has committed £350,000 to reviewing unsolved rape and serious sex offenders as part of the department's £1 million Operation Advance project.
Over the next few months, scientists from the Forensic Science Service (FSS) will review 4,000 cases between 1991 and 1996.
Mr McNulty said: "Operation Advance is a hugely successful and pioneering project that over the past three years has brought 30 serious sex offenders to justice. Their removal from our communities has undoubtedly had a significant impact on community safety.
"Our message to perpetrators is clear - these cases are never closed by the police.
"We are determined to ensure that victims receive the justice they deserve and will continue to use advances in technology to help solve crimes, convict offenders and bring closure and relief to people who have had to live with the terrible effects of these crimes over many years."
By the time the work is completed, all cases between 1991 and 1999 will have been reviewed.
FSS forensic scientist, Orlando Elmhirst said: "Further funding for Operation Advance allows us to take another look at more cold cases and re-examine evidence using the latest DNA techniques.
"We will use the ground-breaking DNA techniques pioneered by the Forensic Science Service to review the evidence and hope to support the police in opening new avenues of enquiry on a number of cold cases."
Operation Advance, now in its third stage, uses DNA technology to re-analyse evidence, looking as far back as 24 years. Samples collected can then be examined against the National DNA Database.
Some 11,000 cases have been reviewed to date, resulting in 116 matches. This lead to 30 convictions, four of which were handed life sentences, while seven more are awaiting trial.
Nearly all of those caught through the project have found to be among the most persistent and prolific of criminals, with histories stretching back over several years.
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