Our Ref: KS/2009/00683 22 September 2009

Mr Derek Canning

What do they know

[FOI #11381 email]

Dear Mr Canning,

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT Reference No F-2009-00683

I write in connection with your request for information received on 21^st September 2009 I note you seek access to the following information:

Could I please have any information regarding the DNA probes developed by Wetton, J. H.; Parkin, D. T. from Nottingham University? Also, any information you have regarding the funding of their research and all of the information regarding the techniques viability

I am required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published, and therefore in the public domain without caveat.

In response to your questions, I have today decided to release the information requested in full as I can see no harm to any individual, the community, the police service or other bodies. After considering whether releasing this information will affect the good order and functioning of community, government or other public service affairs, I believe it is in the public's interest the information be released. The information lies within the arena of public safety and may provide common benefit to members of the community. Releasing this information will not identify any individual or compromise any court case, law enforcement or investigation.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question I can confirm the following:

Response - Following your request, searches were conducted at Bedfordshire Police, through our Scientific Services Unit, for this information. These searches failed to locate any records / documents relating to the DNA probes developed by Wetton, J. H and Parkin, D. T. from Nottingham University.

Accordingly I have determined that the information to which you seek access is not held by Bedfordshire Police.

I hope this information proves useful.

Complaint Rights

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet, which details your right of complaint.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in Bedfordshire Police.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter please do not hesitate to contact me quoting the above reference number.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Kevin Sharp

Information Services Officer