Liz Dixon

Forensic typing of autosomal SNPs with a 29 SNP-multiplex—Results of a collaborative EDNAP exercise

We report the results of an inter-laboratory exercise on typing of autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) for forensic genetic investigations in crime cases. The European DNA Profiling Group (EDNAP), a working group under the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG), organised the exercise. A total of 11 European and one US forensic genetic laboratories tested a subset of a 52 SNP-multiplex PCR kit developed by the SNPforID consortium. The 52 SNP-multiplex kit amplifies 52 DNA fragments with 52 autosomal SNP loci in one multiplex PCR. The 52 SNPs are detected in two separate single base extension (SBE) multiplex reactions with 29 and 23 SNPs, respectively, using SNaPshot kit, capillary electrophoresis and multicolour fluorescence detection. For practical reasons, only the 29 SBE multiplex reaction was carried out by the participating laboratories. A total of 11 bloodstains on FTA cards including a sample of poor quality and a negative control were sent to the laboratories together with the essential reagents for the initial multiplex PCR and the multiplex SBE reaction. The total SNP locus dropout rate was 2.8% and more than 50% of the dropouts were observed with the poor quality sample. The overall rate of discrepant SNP allele assignments was 2.0%. Two laboratories reported 60% of all the discrepancies. Two laboratories reported all 29 SNP alleles in all 10 positive samples correctly. The results of the collaborative exercise were surprisingly good and demonstrate that SNP typing with SBE, capillary electrophoresis and multicolour detection methods can be developed for forensic genetics.

Tackling Racist Offending: A Generalised Or Targeted Approach?

Liz Dixon discusses the development of programmes for racist and racially motivated offenders with particular reference to the targeted programme developed in London. She examines the Accreditation Panel’s recent decision to recommend the use of generalised cognitive behavioural programmes with this group, arguing that this takes insufficient account of existing evidence and the complex challenges of racist offending.

Developing Good Practice with Racially Motivated Offenders

This article considers a number of issues relating to practice with racially motivated offenders, including a new typology that throws light on different offender profiles, the complexity of risk assessment and the need for training and effective multi-agency work. The authors consider the unique nature of offending and draw on experiences from the Greenwich Targeted Policing Initiative which is now being held up as a ‘beacon’ of good practice.

Tackling hate by driving diversity: A New Labour success story?

This article reflects on the role of government in policy and practice developments regarding hate crime since the publication of the Lawrence Inquiry. It examines the key findings from the inquiry into Stephen’s death and its impact on specific criminal justice agencies. It reflects on the role of community activism. It summarizes the progress agencies have made in addressing the role of bias and hate in anti-social behaviour and offending. It explores the increased capacity to ‘read’ demographic trends to build community cohesion and anticipate community tensions. The article suggests that Labour’s leadership was a key driver in this progressive area of criminal justice and was characterized by its willingness to listen.

Probation 2000 Conference

An evaluation of the ’Making Better Choices’ (MBC) cognitive groupwork programme, run by Hampshire Probation Service, was carried out in order to assess the impact of this approach with 17-25 year old persistent offenders. Between January 1998 and July 1999, thirty-eight offenders completed the programme developed by the Cognitive Centre Foundation (known as ’Offending is not the Only Choice’ and ’Values Enhancement’). This evaluation focused on attitudinal change group members’ attitudes towards offending were measured