FORENSIC teams spent more than 6,000 hours analysing evidence as part of the investigation into the murders.At the end of 2006, Suffolk Constabulary requested the Forensic Science Service's support in the largest multiple murder enquiries in the county's history.

Naomi Cassidy

FORENSIC teams spent more than 6,000 hours analysing evidence as part of the investigation into the murders.

At the end of 2006, Suffolk Constabulary requested the Forensic Science Service's support in the largest multiple murder enquiries in the county's history.

During the 14-month investigation, more than 100 scientists in the service worked in close partnership with police providing a variety of services, including crime scene support, DNA profiling and fibre analysis.

Over the course of the investigation, more than 100 swabs for body fluids and DNA were analysed, as well as thousands of fibres and 580 exhibits, including those from Steve Wright's home and vehicle, the victims and the location where each was found.

Scientific advisor Judith Cunnison was appointed to work closely with the teams investigating the murders. The service provided support 24 hours a day in eight different scientific disciplines.

This constant support ensured the service was able to provide information about a match to the national DNA database three days after the swab had been submitted to its Huntingdon laboratory for processing.

This match led to the arrest of Steve Wright -whose profile was held on the National DNA database after a previous conviction for theft.

The Forensic Science Service's mobile laboratory was deployed to Ipswich to support the police's examination of Wright's property and screen items before they were sent to the laboratory for analysis.

The analysis process involved the following services; specialist adviser support, scene services, mobile laboratory, DNA profiling and fibre analysis.

Ms Cunnison said: “This was a unique investigation and the police recognised the important role forensic science might play in identifying the person responsible. Working so closely with the police throughout the investigation meant that I was able to ensure that the appropriate resources were available back at the laboratory to provide swift response during such a fast moving investigation.”