1. Manaaki Tangata Taiao Hoki protecting people and their environment through science Specialist Science Solutions The New Zealand DNA Profile Databank Dr Jill Vintiner - Forensic Programme Manager, Institute of Environmental Science and Research Inspector John Walker - National Forensic Services Adviser, NZ Police

2. © ESR 2008 Overview of ESR New Zealand government owned “Crown Research Institute” - formed in 1992 Follows a company model with an independent Board of Directors and CEO &required to make a return on equity Leading provider of forensic science services Independent of police Operates the New Zealand DNA Profile Databank on behalf of NZ Police

3. © ESR 2008 A Global Perspective ~ 40 countries have a DNA Databank Legislation is country specific Significant variation: - Who provides a sample - Is the sample retained - Can the profile be removed Interpol DNA Database and Gateway allows for data sharing between countries (legislative dependent)

4. © ESR 2008 NZ Situation Part 3, Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Act, 1995 => CI(BS) Act Samples are - Volunteered - Compelled from individuals convicted of a ‘serious’ offence - Destroyed after a DNA profile is obtained - Profile can be removed if consent is withdrawn or conviction is cleared - DNA link report is not admissible in court proceedings - Further suspect reference sample required

5. © ESR 2008 Types of Crimes Involved in Links

6. © ESR 2008 Case example Homicide - Female murdered in her home in Auckland - Little evidence at scene - shoeprints - DNA detected under the fingernails of the deceased - DNA profile loaded to Crime Sample Database - Linked to an individual - Guilty verdict

7. © ESR 2008 Case example Homicide - Female murdered in 1987 - Fingernail scrapings from victim reanalysed in 2002 - Male DNA profile obtained and loaded to the CSD - In 2003 a male supplied a DNA Databank sample - DNA link to the fingernail samples - Suspect pled guilty to the murder charge

8. © ESR 2008 DNA Databank – recent developments DNA elimination samples from crime investigators Familial DNA DNA sampling and age of donor

9. Manaaki Tangata Taiao Hoki protecting people and their environment through science Specialist Science Solutions The New Zealand DNA Profile Databank Dr Jill Vintiner - Forensic Programme Manager, Institute of Environmental Science and Research Inspector John Walker - National Forensic Services Adviser, NZ Police