Police criticised for ‘missing opportunities’ to solve rape

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) yesterday said Devon and Cornwall Police “missed opportunities” to bring a conviction after it failed to upgrade DNA samples to a national database.

The review said a DNA sample from a 16-year-old girl who was raped in Plymouth in 1989 had not been loaded into the National DNA Database when it came into existence in 1995.

It meant that the man responsible, Shaun Harrison, was not linked with the attack when a DNA sample was taken from him following his arrest for drink driving in 2000. It was only in August 2010 when the Forensic Science Service pointed out that the crime stain from the historic rape had not been uploaded that Harrison was eventually in the frame.

He pleaded guilty at court and was sentenced to eight years in custody for the 1989 rape, and a further four years for a rape he committed in 1994.

IPCC deputy chair Deborah Glass said: “Scientific advances have made it possible for historic crimes to be solved through the use of DNA analysis. However, that process is not automatic because of the cost involved.

“Our investigation found that Devon and Cornwall missed opportunities over the years to review this case. This meant that Harrison’s and others DNA samples were not upgraded in line with forensic advancements.

“The force has accepted all of the IPCC recommendations and has assured us that it has systematically ensured that all of its samples have been upgraded and a number of perpetrators of serious sexual assault crimes have since been brought to justice.”