Rape DNA process 'not adequate'

1 October 2012 Last updated at 12:38 ET

Forensic procedures carried out by a private firm which wrongly linked the DNA of a man to a rape were "not adequate", a report says.

Adam Scott, from Devon, was held for a couple of months after being accused of raping a woman in Manchester.

The charges were dropped when it emerged a DNA sample had been contaminated at LGC Forensics.

Forensic Science Regulator Andrew Rennison said Mr Scott was an "innocent victim of avoidable contamination".

LGC Forensics said that it "deeply regrets the incident of contamination".

Mr Scott was charged in 23 October 2011 after a plastic tray containing a sample of his DNA was re-used in the analysis of a swab from a rape victim in Plant Hill Park, Blackley. The result of that test linked him to the crime.

The report said police investigating the rape allegations raised concerns seven weeks later because phone records suggested Mr Scott had been in Plymouth a few hours after the alleged attack.

In March this year, the government wound up the Forensic Science Service, leaving private companies and police laboratories to take on its work.

That month, news emerged of the DNA mix-up involving Adam Scott at the Teddington lab of the biggest private provider, LGC.

See the rest here:
Rape DNA process 'not adequate'