An audience comprising of members of the Isle of Man legal profession had the opportunity of an extensive update on DNA Profiling presented by leading Forensic Biologist Sue Carney MPhil, BSc(Hons), MFSSoc at the Regency Hotel, Douglas last Thursday (15th November).
 
The presentation was arranged by Expol Limited, Forensic & Civil Investigators, who offer a growing range of training courses for the Corporate and Trust Services sector, the Legal Profession and others.
 
Rob Kinrade, Operation Director at Expol Limited said, " Sue’s field of expertise is the examination of body fluid evidence and the interpretation of DNA profiling results, including low template DNA techniques and DNA mixtures. She worked at the Forensic Science Service, Chorley laboratory for almost ten years, prior to its closure in March 2011, where she was a senior forensic scientist and site quality lead for body fluids. It’s a unique opportunity for legal professionals to receive the very latest updates in an area that is used extensively in the criminal justice system.”
 
The three hour presentation took the audience through the Structure of DNA, Profiling, Evidential Significance, Interpretation of Results, The Stephen Lawrence Case, and Relevant Court Rulings. An interesting question and answer session followed what one delegate described as an excellent afternoons professional update.
 
Sue said, “ I have been to the Isle of Man previously to give evidence in criminal trials. I have lectured on quality systems on the University of Huddersfield’s Forensic Science Masters course and assessed the quality systems requirements for the Ministry of the Interior at their forensic facility in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It has been a pleasure to come to the Isle of Man and lecture to members of the Manx Bar.
 
Sue’s area of special interest is the forensic investigation of sexual offences including cold case investigations and she has attended court to give expert testimony in such cases on many occasions. She is a member of the Forensic Science Society and frequently writes for the ‘Defrosting Cold Cases’ website as their in-house expert.