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Extension to Scientific Support Unit opened
03 February 2008
A new extension of the Scientific Support Unit at the Enderby Headquarters of Leicestershire Constabulary has been officially opened by Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys, in a ceremony held on February 1st.
To celebrate the Force Headquarters 21st anniversary and the opening of the new extension, the new 'Forensic Submissions Unit' has been dedicated to Sir Alec Jeffreys and his pioneering work in the field of DNA.
Sir Alec, Professor of Genetics at Leicester University, said:
"It is a great privilege for me to open the Forensic Submissions Unit. Science plays an increasingly important role in the fight against crime, and the Leicestershire Constabulary showed great courage and foresight in being the first in the World to deploy DNA testing in a criminal investigation.
"I am therefore particularly delighted and touched that the Unit is dedicated to our work on forensic DNA at the University of Leicester."
The Scientific Support Unit (SSU) was the first department to be opened on the Force Headquarters Enderby site 21 years ago and the new extension now includes a hi-tech crime unit, footwear section and forensic imaging unit.
Scientific Support Manager Mrs Vivienne Galloway has worked in the department since it moved from London Road to the new premises in Enderby, said:
"It's amazing what has been achieved during the past 21 years. The technological explosion and the introduction of new techniques in human identification such as DNA and facial mapping has had a major impact on forensic science in general and the way we do business in the Scientific Support Unit.
"So much is changing and at such a rapid pace. These are challenging times but it is a great time to be part of the Scientific Support Unit and who knows where we will be in another 21 years - we can only begin to wonder.
"One thing we can be sure about is the Leicestershire Constabulary will respond to these changes and deliver an efficient and effective scientific support service."
The SSU has been at the forefront of some ground-breaking cases in the last two decades. Prof Jeffreys' work in the field of DNA fingerprinting was used to screen hundreds of men in Leicester to detect the killer of two Leicestershire school girls in 1983 and 1986.
Colin Pitchfork was eventually traced using this method by Leicestershire Constabulary and became the first person to be convicted of murder using DNA evidence.
Leicestershire Constabulary's Deputy Chief Constable, David Lindley, said:
"Since its introduction into the Force the Scientific Support Unit has continued to develop and grow as a department.
The Fingerprint Unit, Scenes of Crime, Forensic Imaging and Forensic Submissions have all achieved nationally recognised status and provide invaluable support to our effort to investigate crime.
"Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys' work in the field of DNA fingerprinting has transformed the way the police conduct their investigations. I, along with the rest of Leicestershire Constabulary, are proud that the extension to the Forensic Submissions Unit will be dedicated to him."
Associated links:
» The National DNA Database [Home Office website]
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