Missing Persons - Forensic Science Ireland

Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) is an associated office of the Department of Justice and Equality and was established in 1975 to provide a scientific service to the criminal justice system.

FSI has been based in Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, however our new fit-for-purpose building on the scientific campus at Backweston in Celbridge, Co. Kildare was completed in 2023. The new facility is due to be officially opened in 2024 and work is ongoing to transition operations from the Phoenix Park to Backweston.

A very significant development in body identification in Ireland occurred in November 2015 with the establishment of the national DNA database. The DNA database contains DNA profiles from unidentified remains, missing persons (for example, DNA from clothing of missing people) and relatives of missing persons.

If you are a parent, child or sibling of a missing person, you can submit a DNA samples to FSI through An Garda Síochána for uploading to the DNA database. As profiles are generated and uploaded onto the database they will be regularly checked against all profiles of unidentified remains in the hope of locating a DNA match and establishing an identification.

DNA samples from more distant relatives such as uncles, aunts or cousins are not currently processed by the current DNA technology in use, however these samples can be stored at FSI.

An easy way to get a sample of your DNA is to use a swab (i.e. a clean sponge on a stick) to collect cells from the inside of your mouth. The swab is gently wiped against the inside of your cheeks and is then pressed against a piece of card that has been chemically treated to store the DNA. This card can then be sampled at a FSI laboratory and a DNA profile can be generated.

Sometimes you may be asked to provide a DNA sample more than once. This could be because FSI is unable to obtain a DNA profile from your initial sample and may need to try again.

A forensic scientist extracts DNA from the card and a DNA profile is generated. After your DNA profile has been uploaded to the DNA database, your original DNA sample is destroyed. The database will then compare your DNA profile with all other DNA profiles contained on the database to confirm if there is a DNA match. If there is a match, FSI will inform An Garda Síochána and your profile will be removed. If there is no match your profile will be retained on the database for future comparisons.

DNA analysis focuses on examining specific sections of DNA that are known to be particularly variable between individuals in order to create a DNA profile. The sections of DNA tested do not reveal information about an individual’s physical characteristics, such as eye or hair colour or about genetic diseases.

FSI works closely with the Garda Missing Person Unit and with Interpol to enable the exchange of DNA profiles with other countries.

When FSI holds DNA profiles from more than two relatives of a missing person these can be submitted via Interpol for inclusion in the International I-Familia Database where they can be searched as a family.

In 2020, FSI invested in Next Generating Sequencing (NGS) technology. NGS use in forensic science is still in its infancy and describes a suite of emerging DNA sequencing technologies, where sensitive tests can be performed that maximise the information obtained from limited amounts of DNA or in cases where biological material is limited.