DNA data ‘transformative’ for crime probes
The tenth anniversary of the creation of Ireland’s national DNA database was marked at an event at Forensic Science Ireland HQ in Backweston, Co Kildare (26 February).
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan said at the gathering that, since its establishment in 2015, the system has aided nearly 8,000 criminal investigations, primarily cases relating to burglaries, criminal damage, and robberies.
It has also assisted in the investigation of more serious crimes including murders, sexual and violent offences and assaults.
The database now has over 94,000 profiles and the crime solving capacity of the database will continue to grow as the database itself grows.
Minister O’Callaghan said the database had had a transformative effect.
“It has reshaped how crimes are investigated; how cases are built, and how justice is delivered. To an ever-increasing extent, the success of our criminal justice system is dependent on the effectiveness and integrity of the DNA database system,” he said.
One of the most powerful aspects of the DNA database is its role in missing persons investigations and body identification cases, he added.
Missing persons
In 2025, the forensic laboratory assisted in approximately 180 body identifications and 29 missing persons cases.
Ireland currently shares DNA profiles with 20 European countries, including Britain, under the Prüm Treaty.
FSI began live data exchange in 2019 and now actively collaborates with those countries.