Standardisation of DNA Profiling Techniques in the European Union

Objective

DNA profiling has become a standard technique in criminal investigations, since results can be obtained from any source of biological material provided it contains nucleated cells with genomic DNA. Due to the rapid progress in the field during the last ten years, parallel developments of methods as well as typing systems have been made in the laboratories involved in forensic DNA profiling. This has resulted in heterogeneity of typing procedures as well as genetic systems used for forensic casework within the European Union. However, intercomparison of DNA typing results becomes not only desirable, but absolutely necessary within Europe as mobile serial offenders will not detected by DNA profiling unless methods are standardized. Based on cooperative structures which have been already established independently among the network partners, the objectives of the stadnap network are to (1) define criteria for the selection of forensic typing systems based on the PCR technique suitable for European standardization, (2) evaluate PCR systems for forensic stain typing, (3) exchange and compare methods for the harmonization of typing protocols, (4) carry out exercises for intercomparison of forensic typing results, (5) recommend reference PCR typing systems for European standardization, (6) exchange data for compilation of reterence frenquency databases for the European populations. This will be achieved by the coordinated effort of 20 network partners as well as industrial consultants by organizing regular biannual meetings as well as practical collaborative exercices. Technology tranfer will be carried out and exchange of personne will be encouraged within the framework of the EU fellowwship programmes.

Programme(s)

• FP4-SMT - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of standards, measurements and testing, 1994-1998

Topic(s)

• 01 - Measurements for quality European products

Funding Scheme

THN - Thematic network contracts

Coordinator

Universidade de Santiago de Compostela

Address

S/n,san Fransisco
15705 Santiago De Compostela
Spain

Participants (19)

Bundeskriminalamt

Germany

Address

11,Thaerstrasse
65193 Wiesbaden

Hellenic Police

Greece

Address

14,Sevastopoulos Street
11526 Athens

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE CRIMINALISTIQUE ET DE CRIMINOLOGIE

Belgium

Address

98-100,Chaussee De Vilvorde 98-100
1210 Bruxelles

Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz

Germany

Address

3,Am Pulverturm
55131 Mainz

Københavns Universitet

Denmark

Address

10,Nørregade
1017 København K

Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck

Austria

Address

44,Mullerstrasse
6020 Innsbruck

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Ireland

Address

Phoenix Park, Garda Headquarters
8 Dublin

Ministerie van Justitie

Netherlands

Address

17,Volmerlaan
2288 GD Rijswijk

Ministry of Justice

Sweden

Address

Olaus Magnusvaeg
581 94 Linköping

Ministére de l'Intérieur

France

Address

3,Quai De L'horloge Paris
75001 Paris

NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Finland

Address

4,Jokiniemenkatu 4
01370 Vantaa

QUEEN MARY AND WESTFIELD COLLEGE - ST. BARTHOLOMEWS & THE ROYAL LONDON SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY

United Kingdom

Address

Miles End Road
E1 4NS London

THE FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICE

United Kingdom

Address

Gooch Street North
B5 6QQ Birmingham

Universidade de Coimbra

Portugal

Address

Largo Da Se Nova
3000 Coimbra

University of Oslo

Norway

Address

0027 Oslo

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Italy

Address

Largo Francesco Vito 1
00168 Roma

Universität Zürich

Switzerland

Address

190,Winterthurestrasse
8057 Zürich

Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg 1

France

Address

11,Rue Humann
67085 Strasbourg

Westfälische Wilhelms - Universität Münster

Germany

Address

86,Von Esmarch Strasse
48149 Münster