DNA test shelved after Omagh trial

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The Association of Chief Police (Acpo) officers said forces were already operating an "interim suspension" of the cutting-edge technique.

The move comes as an urgent review gets under way into forthcoming court cases involving the testing technique following the Omagh bomb trial acquittal.

The Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales said it was reviewing a number of cases where the Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA testing was involved.

A similar review was being made in Northern Ireland at the request of Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde.

The relatively new testing system - which enables the analysis of a small number of cells - was used on the timers for bombs used in Real IRA attacks and allegedly linked them to Omagh accused Sean Hoey.

However, the judge in the Hoey case decided it was not as yet at a sufficiently scientific level to be considered evidence.

Sir Hugh said: "I have asked for an urgent review of all cases that rely in any way, shape or form on LCN DNA."

Despite its rejection by Mr Justice Weir when he acquitted Hoey of all charges relating to the Omagh bombing and more than two dozen other terrorist charges, Sir Hugh said: "It is a vital ingredient of cases in the future which will bring very guilty people to justice."

Tony Lake, Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police and Acpo lead on forensics, said: "We shall study the terms of the Omagh judgment carefully, consider the implications and determine whether action needs to be taken."