First Test of Rapid DNA Analysis Pioneered by Washington State University and Orchid Cellmark Identifies Alleged Child Rapist Within Just Days
PRINCETON, N.J., March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Orchid Cellmark Inc. , a leading worldwide provider of DNA identity testing services, today announced that a new DNA testing program implemented by the Washington State Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) and Orchid Cellmark has led to the prompt identification and apprehension of an individual charged with raping an 11-year old girl at her Olympia, WA home late last month. The first application of this rapid DNA analysis program resulted in the identification of a suspect in less than one week.
The new Washington State program, made possible by special Congressional funding, is designed to ensure that DNA rape kits involving stranger rapes are analyzed within 30 days. Nationwide, DNA analysis can typically take six to twelve months, and an estimated 220,000-backlogged DNA rape kits in the U.S. have never been analyzed at all.
In contrast, this rapid DNA analysis program identified the alleged rapist in less than a week, leveraging good investigative work by the Olympia police force, which produced a DNA sample from a suspect that Orchid Cellmark quickly identified as belonging to the rapist. This same DNA analysis also ruled out an innocent neighbor, who had initially been charged with the crime, but who under the new program was exonerated and set free within days, not the months that could have been required in the past.
"This early success in our Stranger Rape DNA Project illustrates how effective a rapid DNA analysis program can be," said Don Pierce, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC), sponsor of the program. "We are pleased that Washington State's Congressional delegation has helped us become the first state in the nation to implement this innovative program. By partnering with Orchid Cellmark on this project, we hope to make Washington a safer place to live."
Mark Stolorow, forensic DNA expert at Orchid Cellmark noted, "As one of the largest private DNA testing labs in the U.S., we have long advocated greater public/private collaboration to increase law enforcement's access to rapid DNA testing. We also had the advantage of being able to leverage our experience in the U.K., where rapid DNA testing is the norm, to design our new rapid turnaround service in the U.S. Our colleagues in Washington were the first in the nation to understand the potential of our rapid DNA testing initiative and to take action to implement it. We applaud the vision of WASPC and the Washington State Congressional delegation in joining forces to win funding for this important program, which has already demonstrated its ability to increase the timeliness and effectiveness of crime fighting efforts."
Despite the proven ability of forensic DNA testing to solve crimes, a lack of money and trained personnel in state and local crime labs has resulted in large backlogs of DNA evidence awaiting analysis in most states. WASPC and the Washington State Congressional delegation championed the speedy testing program, and they worked together to obtain special federal funding to get it up and running. The rapid apprehension of the alleged rapist in Olympia resulted from the first case tackled by the new program.
"Orchid Cellmark has been an innovator in forensic DNA testing for two decades, and we are especially proud of our initiatives designed to make rapid turnaround DNA testing available to law enforcement officials throughout the nation," said Thomas A. Bologna, President and Chief Executive Officer of Orchid Cellmark. "We believe we are the only private DNA testing service presently working with law enforcement to provide a 30-day DNA rape analysis option. We look forward to more successes under the Washington State program, and we hope to work with other states and localities to allow them to benefit from rapid turnaround DNA testing."
About Orchid Cellmark
Orchid Cellmark is a leading provider of DNA identity testing services for the human identity and agriculture markets. In the human identity area, the company provides DNA testing services for forensic, family relationship and security applications. In the agriculture field, Orchid Cellmark provides DNA testing services for selective trait breeding. Orchid Cellmark's strong market positions in these segments reflect the company's accredited laboratories in the U.S. and U.K., its innovative genetic analysis technologies and expertise, and the world-renowned Cellmark brand that has been associated with exceptional quality, reliability and customer service for nearly two decades. More information on Orchid Cellmark can be found at www.orchid.com and www.1800dnatest.com.
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward- looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding: Orchid Cellmark's looking forward to more successes under the Washington State program, and Orchid Cellmark's hope to work with other states and localities to allow them to benefit from rapid turnaround DNA testing. Such statements are subject to the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, uncertainties relating to technologies, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing of Orchid Cellmark's products and services, dependence on government funding and collaborations, regulatory approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, patent protection, litigation, the timing of release of federal funds, the timing and amount of contracts put up for bid, Orchid Cellmark's ability to timely hire qualified analysts, and Orchid Cellmark's ability to timely and successfully initiate operational efficiencies, lower overhead and other remedial measures. These risks and other additional factors affecting these statements and Orchid Cellmark's business are discussed under the headings "Risks Related to Our Business" and "Risks Associated with Our Common Stock" in Orchid Cellmark's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other filings made by Orchid Cellmark with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Orchid Cellmark expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Orchid Cellmark's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based, except as may be required by law.
Contacts Investors: Media: Mary Bashore Barbara Lindheim Orchid Cellmark Inc. GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners (609) 750-2324 (212) 918-4650
Orchid Cellmark Inc.CONTACT: Investors, Mary Bashore of Orchid Cellmark Inc., +1-609-750-2324;or Media, Barbara Lindheim of GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners,+1-212-918-4650