DNAprint Genomics (DNAG)

[mingwan0]

Chris, I don't think so. I spent a lot of time looking at this case before. The police were a little reluctant in some articles to divulge details of the DNA tests concerned:

http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/content_objectid=13560299_method=full_sit....

But yesterday Detective Superintendent Dave Mirfield, who is leading the inquiry, was reported as saying that DNA samples taken from glasses, bottles and cigarettes at the party had provided a vital breakthrough. "We have new evidence," he said.

"I cannot discuss exactly what it is, because that may jeopardise the inquiry, but I am confident that we will be able to solve these murders.

"We have used DNA in a way that I'm not aware of it being used in this country before to trace witnesses.

This looked very promising at first. However, I eventually tracked down this article that explains the new way that DNA was used:

http://www.blacknet.co.uk/Whats_New_v2.0/Whats_New_v2.0.cgi?v=archive&c=Stop_Press&id=021010....

A new forensic technique which analyses saliva and sweat is being used by detectives hunting the killers of Letisha Shakespeare and Charlene Ellis.

More than a dozen people have been traced by police using the new DNA process, who could have witnessed the shooting.

Officers hope the development will help them overcome the wall of silence which has surrounded the killings which took place in the early hours of January 2.

Although more than 100 revellers were at the party outside a hair salon in Birchfield Road, Aston, many witnesses have still not come forward.

Detective Superintendent Dave Mirfield, leading the investigation, said: "It is measure of the job we face that we have got to go to these lengths to obtain witness and eye witness information."

Forensic experts have examined the Uniseven hair salon where the party was held.

They now have a DNA fingerprint for each guest after analysing chewing gum, used straws and bottles, cigarette stubs and sweat on the walls.

From this evidence they know there were 59 men and 44 women at the party, and have already spoken to 60 people.

Now they have obtained names and addresses of 15 witnesses from the DNA national database who they hope to speak to.

This looks like normal DNA fingerprinting.