PRINCETON, N.J., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Orchid BioSciences, Inc. today announced that its Orchid Cellmark unit, a leader in private forensic DNA testing, has been awarded an exclusive contract by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to conduct forensic DNA analysis for new cases as well as testing for backlogged cases. Orchid was awarded this $2.7 million three-year contract following a competitive bid process. Further details of the agreement were not disclosed.
“As a long-time collaborator with the Los Angeles Police Department on important investigations, Orchid Cellmark is pleased to be awarded this contract to conduct a full range of high quality forensic DNA testing services,” said Mark Stolorow, executive director of Orchid Cellmark. “By providing rapid DNA forensic services to the LAPD, Orchid Cellmark should contribute to the Department’s efforts to identify serious criminals more rapidly and to prevent offenders from committing additional crimes before they can be apprehended.”
Orchid Cellmark has conducted DNA analyses for the LAPD and the Los Angeles District Attorney for 15 years, and the admissibility of its DNA testing evidence has been affirmed in several California appellate decisions. Orchid Cellmark has performed DNA testing in a number of notable California cases, including the recent conviction of David Westerfield in the Danielle Van Dam murder case in San Diego. Orchid Cellmark provides similar services to hundreds of police departments and criminal justice agencies nationwide.
“Our Department has 15 years of positive experience working with the forensic scientists of Orchid Cellmark,” said Greg Matheson, Acting Laboratory Director of the Los Angeles Police Department Criminalistics Laboratory. “This new contract represents a public-private partnership that will provide the City of Los Angeles with high quality, accredited outsourcing of forensic DNA testing services. The contract will allow the LAPD to provide this invaluable crime solving tool while expanding our laboratory’s DNA typing program to meet the needs of the City.”
All three of the Orchid Cellmark’s U.S-based laboratories have received the prestigious accreditation of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB). Orchid Cellmark’s laboratories are also certified by the American Association of Blood Banks and the New York State Department of Health. Its Dallas and Nashville laboratories are also accredited by the National Forensic Science Technology Center.
The Los Angeles Police Department is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the world, responsible for providing police service to an area representing 3.4 million residents. More information on the Los Angeles Police Department can be found at http://www.lapd.org/.
About Orchid Cellmark
Orchid Cellmark, the forensic strategic business unit of Orchid BioSciences, Inc., has been a leader in private forensic DNA analysis since 1987. Orchid Cellmark has an international network of forensic testing laboratories in the U.S. and U.K., making it the largest private DNA forensic testing service provider in the world. Orchid Cellmark provides a full range of high quality, customized forensic DNA testing services, including identification of victims of accidents and disasters, criminal casework analysis and expert testimony, convicted offender DNA databasing, no-suspect casework for government law enforcement laboratories, and DNA testing and consultative services for the defense bar as well as for the prosecution. Orchid Cellmark, which has conducted DNA testing for many notable forensic investigations, uses a variety of genetic analysis methods for its forensic DNA studies and is a leader in developing improved technologies for genetic analysis. This year the company launched DNA Express(TM), a premium service to help local law enforcement agencies analyze backlogs of DNA evidence from unsolved crimes. DNA Express provides forensic DNA analyses in five business days as opposed to the standard four to five weeks. More information on Orchid Cellmark can be found at http://www.orchidcellmark.com/.
About Orchid BioSciences
Orchid BioSciences is the leading provider of identity genomics services for the forensic and paternity DNA testing markets and for public health DNA testing for food safety. Orchid’s market leading positions in these segments leverage the Company’s accredited laboratories in the U.S. and U.K., its innovative genetic analysis technologies and expertise, and the world-renowned Cellmark and GeneScreen brands that have been associated with exceptional quality, reliability, innovation and customer service for nearly two decades. More information on Orchid can be found at http://www.orchid.com/.
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act as amended, including statements regarding: Orchid’s belief that by providing rapid DNA forensic services to the LAPD, it should contribute to the Department’s efforts to identify serious criminals more rapidly and to prevent offenders from committing additional crimes before they can be apprehended. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Orchid’s actual results to vary materially. These risks and other additional factors affecting Orchid’s business are discussed under the headings “Risks Related to Our Business,” “Risks Related to the Biotechnology Industry” and “Risks Associated with Our Common Stock” in Orchid’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and Orchid’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 and the prospectus contained therein dated June 6, 2003, each as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other filings made by Orchid with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Orchid 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’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.
Orchid BioSciences, Inc.
CONTACT: Tracy J. Henrikson, Director, Corporate Communications ofOrchid BioSciences, Inc., +1-609-750-2221
Web site: http://www.orchid.com/
