Key information
Executive summary
This paper seeks approval to accept grant funding of 230,000 euros to enable the MPS to work with European partners to develop and implement the Next Generation Sequencing DNA analysis through the VISAGE Project. The MPS will work with European partners to develop and roll out this technology into live case work with the engagement of UK stakeholders such as the Forensic Science Regulator, Crown Prosecution Service, DNA Strategy Board (including the Ethics Advisory Group) and the Home Office.
Recommendation
The DMPC is asked to accept grant funding of 230,000 euros to enable the MPS to progress the “Visage Project” with European Partners.
Non-confidential facts and advice to the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime (DMPC)
1. Introduction and background
1.1. The VISAGE project (visible attributes approached through genomic means) aims to fund research into the development of a set of prototype tools that use DNA traces to predict appearance, age and ancestry in as much detail as possible, while being both accurate and effective. The VISAGE toolkit will allow the construction of composite sketches of unknown trace donors directly from their crime scene traces. This will aid in the identification of unknown perpetrator(s), which will guide and focus criminal investigations towards finding them.
1.2. The VISAGE toolkit will consider ethical, societal and legal dimensions of forensic DNA Phenotyping as identified within the project by applying privacy-by-design strategy. The outcome of the VISAGE project will have a major impact on solving more crimes rapidly by providing previously unused intelligence information from trace DNA to find unknown perpetrators. This will help reduce impact on victims and prevent miscarriages of justice, thereby avoiding unnecessary costs.
1.3. There are 13 European partners within the consortium including academia, forensic laboratories and Police forces. The only two UK organisations are the MPS and Kings College.
2. Issues for consideration
2.1. Participation by the MPS in the VISAGE project will provide the MPS will an intelligent tool for MPS crimes and nationally for all stakeholders involved within the Counter Terrorism arena.
2.2. The VISAGE project is an important area of work in the development of DNA Phenotyping. If the MPS were to develop this work in isolation there is a risk of duplication in terms of cost and research. Being part of the VISAGE project provides the MPS with the opportunity to reduce cost and influence the standards set by the European Network of Forensic Scientists.
3. Financial Comments
3.1 The MPS is eligible for grant funding of 230,000 euros, which is equivalent to £196,800 at an exchange rate of 1.17. The funding will be used to employ two band K researchers for a period of two years (annual salary of £48,000 including on-costs). The funding will also be used to cover the cost of the grant audit, which will cost approximately £12,000. Additionally, some travel for conferences and project management will be also be funded from the grant.
3.2 The MPS will ensure that all costs relating to this project will be contained within the grant funding.
4. Legal Comments
4.1. MOPAC has an obligation pursuant to paragraphs 3 (f) of the Schedule under the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011, as amended, to publish details of all Grants including the conditions (if any) attached to the grant.
5. Equality Comments
5.1. There are no direct equality or diversity implications arising from this report
6. Background/supporting papers
6.1. None.
Supporting documents
PCD 137