Cold Case Investigations

We offer a flexible approach to assist police review teams in all types of enquiries - ranging from facilitating the retrieval of retained materials from the forensic archive, through to detailed and thorough staged scientific reviews.

A case review specialist is assigned to each case and, depending on requirements, will devise and agree a strategy to be executed by Eurofins’ select team of case review practitioners in conjunction with the investigative team.

The strategy is tailored to the needs of the investigation throughout, and any results obtained will be interpreted and re-assessed accordingly. Acting as a single point of contact, the case review specialist provides regular updates and continued advice, and is ideally placed to identify new opportunities as they become apparent, or indeed to stop a particular line of enquiry if it is deemed no longer beneficial to the case.

As well as undertaking individual reviews, Eurofins Forensic Services has developed a service specifically to assist forces in the management and delivery of large-scale historic sex offence projects. This service includes the collation of all relevant case information, including the review, case progress and results into a customised case review database which can produce tailor-made reports.

Authoritative advice is offered relating to historic case reviews, such as continuity, integrity of materials, contamination, the findings of original scientists, assisting with interview strategies for victims and suspects and the presentation of cases to court. Forensic awareness and training can be included and is often vital in helping the police team and the CPS tackle key issues regarding the review of historic offences.

Eurofins Forensic Services has invested significant resources in research and development to determine the best way to deal with archived material. We have developed specific protocols regarding the optimum methodologies for the examination of slides and tapings; especially in relation to DNA, but also taking into consideration the many other valuable evidence types that can be present within such materials. In addition to advanced technical capabilities, Eurofins’ strengths lie in the expertise and knowledge of their case review specialists.

These individuals:
• Have extensive in-depth knowledge of historic examination methods; this can be absolutely crucial when setting strategies and interpreting new findings.
• Employ a range of techniques not commonly required in live casework, including the extensive use of microscopy as a search tool and a wide range of presumptive testing capabilities.
• Consider a wide range of evidential materials; from fibres and other traces through to the latest DNA advances.
• Work on the basis that there is always the chance of finding vital evidence no matter how often the item has been examined before.
• Challenge and re-interpret original findings in the light of research and new information.
• Understand the workings of the forensic archive and how retained materials for various cases came into being.
• Understand historic DNA processes, and particularly the labelling of extracts.
• Are fully aware of continuity, packaging and integrity issues regarding historic materials and exhibits; including the impact of storage on evidential items in the intervening time.
• Are patient, meticulous and thorough lateral thinkers and creative problem-solvers.
• Have received awards and commendations from the criminal justice system and the monarchy in recognition of their contribution to forensic case reviews.

With such a wide range of examination types available in-house, we are able to combine different aspects of our expertise in imaginative ways; being part of a larger scientific organisation with an emphasis on innovation, quality and customer service puts us at the forefront of delivery in forensic science.

These examples demonstrate the value forensic science can bring to historic investigations; Eurofins Forensic Services offers a wide variety of scientific techniques and technologies to support investigators in these challenging cases.

Advanced Tools

In 2001 a 17 year old was raped by a stranger on her way home. At the time, only traces of semen were recovered from the intimate swabs. The remains of the original intimate swabs and associated examination tubes had been retained, and were re-extracted using Eurofins’ ‘SpermTrap’ method. Many more sperm cells were recovered using this process and a full DNA profile was obtained. A search of the NDNAD yielded no matches, therefore a familial search was undertaken. This led directly to the offender who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 19 years in prison.

Connecting Crimes

The recent scientific review of a rape of a 19 year old from 1977 led to a match to an individual who had been convicted of the kidnap, rape and murder of a 16 year old in 2001. Further investigative and scientific work ultimately lead to further convictions for 16 offences against 5 other victims, including the rape from 1977. A whole life sentence was passed.

Reliability of Findings

EFS undertook work over a period of 6 years in the complex re-investigation of the murder of two schoolgirls in 1986. The suspect had previously been acquitted, so this case fell under the amended ‘double jeopardy’ rules. A team of scientists re-evaluated all of the previous scientific findings in relation to paint traces, hairs, fibres and DNA, retested samples with modern analytical techniques where possible, and carried out examinations which had not been previously contemplated. A major part of the work done at EFS was an assessment of the reliability of the findings, the integrity of the exhibits and the diligence with which the case had been approached by scientists at all times since the murders took place.

As a result of the in-depth scrutiny of the continuity of the exhibits, an EFS scientist deemed that significant DNA results reported by a colleague were not sufficiently robust to be presented as evidence at court. Whilst this finding was initially unwelcome news for the investigating officers it redirected the examination strategy and ensured that the evidence which was ultimately heard at trial could withstand rigorous scrutiny and rebut suggestions of bias within the company. As a direct result of the efforts of a dedicated and extremely experienced team of scientists, the defendant was found guilty in December 2018, and the families of the two young girls finally had some closure in this tragic case.