DNA database leads to backlog of drugs cases

The establishment of the national DNA database has overwhelmed the State laboratory with work and has led to the build-up of a large backlog in the testing of illegal drug seizures.

The backlog means the laboratory is unable to test some illegal drug seizures within the required six-month time frame, although this has not yet resulted in any cases collapsing in court.

Forensic Science Ireland (FSI), which is responsible for testing illegal drugs found by gardaí, said many of its resources have been diverted into establishing the new national DNA database resulting in a large backlog of drug cases.

The drugs section of the laboratory primarily deals with two types of cases, Section 3 prosecutions which are for simple possession and Section 15 prosecutions which are for possession with intent to supply. It typically deals with between 8,000 and 10,000 cases a year.

For Section 3 offences, when a suspect has drugs for their own personal use, gardaí have six months to bring a charge, under rules set out by the Director of Public Prosecutions[1] (DPP).

John Power[2], who headed up the drug division of FSI until recently, said this window is sometimes missed by the laboratory for several reasons including the complexities of analysing new drugs, a lack of trained personal and failures by the gardaí to follow up on their cases.

“We do miss the six-month window, that’s the reality of it,” Mr Power said.

References

  1. ^ Director of Public Prosecutions (www.irishtimes.com)
  2. ^ John Power (www.irishtimes.com)

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