LA1797C- RFT for the supply and validation of a Next Generation Sequencing Platform and associated kits for Forensic Science Ireland
Introduction
Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) is an associated office of the Department of Justice and Equality in Ireland. FSI provides a scientific analytical service in the Irish state, and is the sole provider of all Human Identification DNA services for the Irish Criminal Justice system. FSI is located at Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin, but the building of a new fit-for-purpose laboratory for FSI on the scientific campus at Backweston, Celbridge, Co. Kildare is well underway.
Since 2017, case submissions for the DNA discipline at FSI has increased by 37%, highlighting the sustained growth and demand for this area in Ireland. At FSI, DNA profiles are generated from items submitted from crime scenes and relevant parties to link suspects and victims, or suspects and crime scenes, or to identify human remains.
For DNA analysis, we currently perform DNA profiling mainly using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at 16 polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) loci followed by capillary electrophoresis size separation. However, as the field of DNA analysis has significantly advanced worldwide in recent years, FSI are committed to maintaining international forensic standards by adopting new technologies to broaden our contribution to the Irish Criminal Justice system. One such technological advancement is the field of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), which is particularly valuable in our investigation of cold cases, the id