News
28-April-2008 - LGC Forensics launches DNA SenCE - A unique
method for analysing trace amounts of DNA
DNA SenCE - A unique new method for DNA analysis
LGC Forensics, the UK´s largest
independent provider of forensic services, is pleased to announce
that its latest innovation, DNA
SenCE, is now in operational use with several police
forces.
DNA SenCE is an innovative new approach to analysing tiny
amounts of DNA which focuses on maximising the sensitivity of the
standard DNA profiling process. It involves further purifying and
concentrating DNA profiles produced as a result of the standard
procedure, and then reanalysing these using instruments which have
been optimised for superior sensitivity.
Dr Angela Gallop, Director of Science and Innovation at LGC
Forensics, said: “It is our novel step-wise approach that
systematically increases the sensitivity of the whole process,
allowing smaller and smaller amounts of DNA to be analysed. DNA
SenCE is a very exciting development and will undoubtedly assist us
with the increasing number of new and cold cases we are working on
’’.
DNA SenCE offers significant benefits over some other low level
DNA techniques. These benefits include:
- Increasing the likelihood of obtaining a DNA profile from low
level DNA
- Providing more robust results and therefore increasing the
evidential value which can be attributed to them
- Requiring only a minimal amount of starting
material.
LGC Forensics has dedicated, restricted-access clean-room
facilities and operates to especially rigorous quality procedures
specifically designed for high sensitivity profiling. This avoids
the risk of sample cross contamination, and provides maximum
confidence in the results to the benefit of the most challenging
investigations. DNA SenCE has been fully validated and accredited,
and details of the technique have been accepted for publication in
‘Forensic Science International Genetics’.
On 22 April Kevin Whately, star of the UK television detective
series ‘Lewis’ and an Ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society, toured the
LGC Forensics facility as part of a visit to the LGC Group. Kevin
was at LGC’s Teddington laboratory to accept a cheque from LGC for
£15,114.31 on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society. Included in his
tour were the High Sensitivity Profiling laboratories where DNA
SenCE analysis is conducted.
Notes to Editors