NPIA's Forensics21 Portfolio is working on developing an Accelerated DNA Profiling Technology (ADAPT) Solution. The ultimate aim of the ADAPT Project is to produce a DNA profile from a sample found at a crime scene within an hour or less outside of the laboratory environment that can be submitted to the National DNA Database for searching against known individuals or other crime scenes.    

The project has been split into three phases:    

Phase 1, Level 1 DNA Screening Solution: this will be a basic tool that will show whether human DNA is present. It will allow forces to decide whether to send the sample to a laboratory for DNA profiling.
Benefits: Forces currently spend £3 million per year sending samples for profiling when no DNA is present, and the Level 1 DNA Screening Solution has the potential to dramatically reduce this cost.    

Phase 2, Level 2 DNA Screening Solution: this will follow phase 1, and will have the capability to determine whether there is enough DNA available to obtain a profile that can be searched against the National DNA Database (NDNAD).
Benefits: The Level 2 DNA Screening Solution could eliminate the cost of sending samples to forensic laboratories where there is not enough DNA to search against the NDNAD. This has a potential to save forces £8.1 million each year.    

Phase 3, Level 3 DNA Profiling Solution: this will incorporate a full DNA profile in less than one hour that will be automatically linked to the NDNAD for matches.
Benefits: The Level 3 DNA Profiling Solution will avoid the need for forces to send DNA samples to laboratories which will result in significant time and cost savings.

The project executive, DCC Mark Gilmore (Northumbria Police), has written to all forces in England and Wales encouraging forces to utilise the full support of the ACPO/NPIA Forensics 21 team and wait on their Level 1 DNA Screening Solution product evaluation report, which is due to be published on 1 May 2012. This will ensure that the adoption of any ADAPT solution is centrally coordinated, managed and developed not only in a coherent manner but also in the most cost-effective way.

Update: ADAPT Supplier Event on 15 December 2011

The project team is working closely with forces and potential suppliers to develop the Level 1 DNA Screening Solution. The aim is to have the new technology operational in spring 2012.

A supplier event took place on 15 December 2011 at the NPIA's CSI training centre at Harperley Hall in County Durham, where more details about the project were revealed. This was open to all parties who wished to know more about the Level 1 DNA Screening Solution.

Companies who were unable to attend the supplier event but would like more information about the project can contact the ADAPT project team at ADAPT@npia.pnn.police.uk.

The requirements specification and appendix B (FSR Codes of Practice) for the supplier event are available to download now.

The project overview from the ADAPT supplier event can be downloaded here.

The requirements and acceptance criteria presentation can be downloaded here.

The Level One Screening Solution Acceptance Criteria is available to download here.

A list of questions and answers from the supplier event is available to download here.