Thursday, May 10, 2012

DNA Contamination Blamed on Human Error

Human error at a private forensic services lab is being blamed for DNA contamination that led to the wrong man facing trial for rape. A Home Office statement said an investigation by the Forensic Science Regulator Andrew Rennison is still looking at whether other cases are also at risk but so far 26,000 other samples have been checked and no more have been identified.

The error occurred at what is described as the most advanced automated DNA testing system in the UK at LGC forensics labs in Teddington. A used plastic sample holder containing up to eight vials of DNA was mistakenly reloaded into the machine by a laboratory worker, instead of being put into a bin. The system had been installed in March 2011, and the contamination occurred in October.

Every DNA sample in that seven month period has been checked, and LGC said no other instance of contamination had been uncovered. The regulator is now working with the company in monitoring new procedures that have been put in place, to ensure the mistake is not repeated.




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