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Why choose Cellmark?
Cellmark is one of the largest and most experienced
providers of forensic casework services to the police
forces in England and Wales, with a team of more than
400 forensic scientists, DNA analysts and laboratory
support staff.
SPECIALIST SERVICES
- when you need a second opinion
IDENTIFICATION
INTERPRETATION
Cellmark’s range of specialist forensic services
can be accessed on an as-and-when -equired
basis to provide a second opinion which can
lead to case progress.
INNOVATION
We maintain a scene rota and 24-hour call-out service.
Scientists will respond and attend scenes within four
hours of call-out (according to operational need). They
will search for body fluids and marks, enhance them
when appropriate, interpret body fluid patterns and
other findings and advise
and assist in the recovery of
evidence.
With a team of more than 400 forensic
scientists, DNA analysts and laboratory support
staff, we offer a comprehensive forensic
assessment, evidence recovery, laboratory
analysis, and evaluative interpretation service
across a spectrum of scientific disciplines.
Submissions from police
officers can be accepted 24
hours per day, 365 days per
year at our laboratories,
which are occupied at all
times. Our courier can make
urgent collections from
forces if required and can
even collect from a scene.
We work with forces on
joint examinations when required and we have vehicle
examination facilities at Chorley and Abingdon.
At both sites we can accommodate a force’s staff
within our laboratories, subject to the provision of
a DNA sample for addition to our staff database.
Alternatively, our staff can travel to undertake
joint examinations at police laboratories, by prior
arrangement.
Introduction
Tailored, responsive,
innovative and enhanced
16 Blacklands Way, Abingdon Business Park,
Abingdon, Oxfordshire. OX14 1DY, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1235 528609 Fax: +44 (0)1235 554147
www.cellmarkforensics.co.uk
Unit B1, Buckshaw Link, Ordnance Road,
Buckshaw Village, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 7EL, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1235 528609 Fax: +44 (0)1235 554147
www.cellmarkforensics.co.uk
Specialist/02/17
IDENTIFICATION
INTERPRETATION
INNOVATION
We combine an industry-wide reputation for
analysing the most challenging DNA samples
with the widest range of DNA techniques.
When coupled with our expertise in the fields
of anthropology and sexual offences and
the UK’s largest trace evidence service, it is
clear Cellmark can be relied upon to provide a
comprehensive second opinion.
S P E C I A L I S T
S E R V I C E S
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o p i n i o n
Specialist DNA Services
Trace Evidence Services
Having specialised in DNA analysis for three decades,
Cellmark has built a reputation for high-quality DNA
analysis. Through the development of a range of
accredited specialist techniques and experience of
working on thousands of samples, we have established
expertise successfully obtaining DNA profiles from small,
difficult and compromised biological samples.
Cellmark is one of the largest providers of forensic
casework services in England and Wales. From our stateof-the-art forensic facilities in Oxfordshire and Lancashire
we provide our police customers with a 24/7/365 call-out
service to provide expert forensic analysis at crime
scenes, and deliver a wide range of forensic services.
To deliver high-sensitivity DNA analysis Cellmark has
developed a range of approaches for the extraction and
analysis of low-level DNA samples. This includes the
use of various specialist DNA extraction techniques; a
range of different DNA systems, including mitochondrial
sequencing, and STR multiplexes, including NGM SElect™,
Identifiler™, Fusion™, Mini-filer™ and Powerplex Y23™;
the use of differential amplification cycle number (PCR);
as well as Cellmark’s proprietary DNA enhancement
technique, which provides a staged approach to
improving DNA profile signal strength.
Cellmark’s core fcapabilities include item examination,
body fluid search and recovery, interpretation and
reporting, all backed by three decades experience of a full
range of specialist DNA testing services.
In order to provide reliable, high-sensitivity analysis, we
have made considerable investment in our laboratory
facilities and have led the way in applying clean-room
technology to a forensic analysis environment.
In addition to advanced laboratory techniques, Cellmark
has also developed and accredited bespoke DNA mixture
analysis software and advanced profile comparison
algorithms to assist in the resolution of low-level DNA
mixtures and identify potential profile matches.
Cellmark’s range of accredited high-sensitivity DNA
techniques allows our forensic scientists to work with
our police customers and follow a tailored and staged
approach to each investigation. In doing so Cellmark
maximises the intelligence and evidential value obtained
from low template and degraded samples.
Biology
Anthropology
Cellmark’s dedicated team provides forensic anthropology
and archaeology expertise, supported by access to an
extensive range of environmental evidence analysis. The
team delivers a comprehensive and integrated service for
the search, recovery and identification of human remains,
capitalising on our world-leading DNA analysis capability.
Age estimation in the living is a key tool in investigating
cases involving children and minors and equally important in
historic or cold cases.
Our forensic anthropologists can provide
a biological profile of a victim, including
an opinion of their age, sex, stature and
probable ancestry.
Chemical analysis may also be
recommended to identify whether remains
are recent and, therefore, of forensic
interest, and can be used to determine
geographical origin and movement.
Sometimes, disease or other abnormalities in the skeleton
can aid identification, and anthropology can also help to
establish what happened to a corpse between death and
discovery, or whether there is more than one individual
present.
Sexual Offences
Cellmark’s sexual offences service combines traditional
forensic expertise with new and innovative approaches to
solving crime. By working with some of the UK’s busiest
rape and sexual assault police investigation teams, we have
developed an approach that combines a rapid, responsive
service, with technology innovation that has pushed the
boundaries of detection sensitivity.
At Cellmark, we specialise in the forensic investigation of
rape and sexual assault cases, which can be some of the most
difficult criminal cases to prosecute. We have developed
a specialist service incorporating a number of advanced
forensic techniques that have been developed or validated
at Cellmark to improve evidence
recovery, detection sensitivity
and the interpretation of forensic
results.
At the core of our analytical
approach is Cellmark’s proprietary
‘Sperm Elution’ technique, which
provides a significant improvement in the recovery of
sperm cells from forensic exhibits compared to traditional
approaches, and has changed the expectation of recovering
sperm, and therefore DNA, from samples taken in the days
after intercourse.
Our experienced forensic biologists are used to working
with our customers on cases involving:
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Scene attendance
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Search and recovery of blood and other body fluids
(such as semen and saliva)
Hair and nails
Other cellular material
Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA)
DNA profiling
Interpretation and reporting
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Chemistry
Our chemistry capabilities include the search and
recovery of trace evidence from items and the
subsequent interpretation and reporting.
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Footwear marks
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Fibres
Fire investigation
Firearms and ballistics
Glass
Gunshot residue (GSR)
Noxious substances
Paint
Tools and tool marks
Toxicology
Tyre marks