Minister McEntee welcomes the launch of Forensic Science Ireland Annual Report 2021
- Published on: 6 July 2022
- Last updated on: 7 July 2022
- almost 24,000 cases processed by FSI in 2021
- assisted in the identification of 13 unidentified human remains
- worked with An Garda Síochána on 15 serious crime reviews dating as far back as 1985
The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee welcomes the launch of the 2021 Annual Report of Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).
A key feature of the 2021 Annual Report is the substantial increase in the demand for the services of FSI over the past 3 years. FSI has grown its services over the same period, with an increase in DNA & Biological Analysis services provided (increased by 54%), growth in the number of drugs reports issued (increased by 35%) and the integration of Fingerprint and Documents & Handwriting investigations into FSI.
Minister McEntee said:
"FSI’s forensic science services provides invaluable support to An Garda Síochána in the investigation of crime. Their work is often instrumental in assessing and confirming evidence to ensure that those who are guilty of crimes are brought to justice.
"I would like to thank Director General Chris Enright and the team of Forensic Science Ireland for their tremendous work throughout a challenging 2021. FSI again remained open through all stages of the COVID restrictions, processing almost 24,000 cases – an increase of 85% compared to 2018."
FSI’s support for European cooperation in criminal investigations and border control have also grown over the course of the 2021. FSI is now exchanging DNA data with 11 countries under the Prüm Decision, after connecting with Germany, France and Malta in 2021.
The Minister added:
"The progress in construction of FSI’s purpose built forensic facility at the Backweston Science Campus is very encouraging. The building is planned for completion in the coming months and will create avenues to grow and expand forensic services for the State. I very much look forward to the opening of the new facility."
Notes
The FSI Annual Report 2021 can be accessed using the link below:
Forensic Science Ireland Annual Report 2021
Highlights in the report include:
- FSI remained open throughout all stages of COVID-19 restrictions, with the key objective of providing a sustainable service while keeping their staff safe
- FSI reported on almost 24,000 forensic investigations over the course of 2021 - an increase of 85% over a 3-year period. This is due to the significant growth in DNA & Biological Analysis services provided over the period (increased by 54%), growth in the number of drugs reports issued (increased by 35%) and the integration of Fingerprint and Documents & Handwriting investigations into FSI from the Garda National Technical Bureau in December 2019
- case submissions into FSI increased by 55% between 2021 and 2018. While exceptional circumstances lead to a surge in submissions in 2020, submissions remained above pre-pandemic levels throughout 2021
- the mix and complexity in FSI case work has become more and more challenging and the need to stay current in the latest scientific developments has never been greater
- FSI staff have responded by playing an active role in international forensic networks and working groups over the year and have developed new capabilities as a result
- FSI have developed and validated processes for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) which is already having an impact in identifying Missing Persons
- the DNA Database continues to be an effective crime fighting tool within the state. The Database has assisted in over 5,000 investigations since it came into operation in 2015, including 920 in 2021 alone
- FSI’s ‘Intelligence Services’, supporting European cooperation for criminal investigations and border control, have grown over the course of the year
- FSI is now exchanging DNA data with 11 countries under the Prüm Decision, after connecting with Germany, France and Malta in 2021. There have been 900 DNA matches since FSI first started exchanging this data in October 2019. FSI has been processing Sirene requests since the system went live in March 2021
- in addition, FSI Completed drug quantification reports (drug content) to An Garda Síochána and other stakeholders for Cocaine, Amphetamine and Diamorphine in 2021 and actively contributed to Irish & European early warning networks