News
12-Sep-2008 - LGC steps up the pace in DNA
forensics
Derek Twigg, MP, opens LGC’s new automated PACE DNA
facility in Runcorn, Cheshire
Derek Twigg, MP, officially opened LGC’s new fully automated
PACE* DNA platform at its forensic laboratory in Runcorn, Cheshire,
today. The introduction of the new facility represents an
investment of over £1m and marks a step-change in the DNA
capability of LGC Forensics, a major
division of the international science-based company LGC. The new
platform doubles LGC’s capacity to analyse PACE DNA (mouth swab)
samples for use in connection with the National DNA Database - LGC
now has the capacity to analyse over 340,000 PACE DNA samples a
year, more than half of the samples currently generated annually in
the UK.
To celebrate the opening of its new, expanded
forensic PACE DNA facility, LGC hosted a reception for its business
associates, partners and customers. Guests were invited to attend a
series of short seminars about various aspects of LGC’s DNA
forensic work and they also had an opportunity to tour the
laboratory facilities.
Hosting the event, Steve Allen, Managing
Director of LGC Forensics, said: “The launch of our new
automated PACE DNA facility marks a significant milestone
in the development of LGC’s forensic science capabilities
andis a further demonstration of LGC’s commitment to the
field of DNA and the application of high level analytical science
to our forensic work’”.
The new PACE DNA facility has 30 staff
operating a shift system and the platforms have been designed to
run unattended between 9.00 pm and 7.00 am if submissions
require.
Dr Angela Gallop, Director of Science and
Innovation at LGC Forensics, commented: “LGC Forensics’
strategy has been to develop analytical and investigative services
to provide the broadest scientific support across all areas of
police and other investigative work. This £1m investment supports
our increasing presence in the North West and will allow us to
serve the needs of local constabularies and law enforcement
professionals more effectively than ever. ”
The opening of LGC’s new automated forensic
PACE DNA facility follows the announcement in April 2008 that LGC’s new DNA technique for
analysing trace amounts of DNA - DNA SenCE - is now in operational
use.
*About PACE DNA
samples
PACE DNA samples refer to ‘evidential’ or
‘subject’ samples that are taken from individuals in line with the
Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act.
Notes to Editors