FSI sees ‘increasingly complex’ drug cases
Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) says that continuing investment in DNA-sequencing technology allowed it to help with the identification of 32 missing and deceased persons last year – up from 11 the previous year.
The body provides a scientific service to the criminal-justice system by analysing samples from crime scenes, and providing expert evidence in criminal trials.
Writing in its , acting director general Dr Geraldine O’Donnell said that the organisation was seeing increased complexity in drugs cases.
Ten new substances detected
“The Irish illicit drug market is growing increasingly complex, with a wider array of novel substances appearing alongside traditional illicit drugs,” she stated.
Between 2022 and 2023, FSI identified several variants of Nitazene (synthetic opioids) in small seizures of tablets and powders.
O’Donnell said, however, that 2024 marked a significant shift, with two of the largest Nitazene seizures recorded not only in Ireland but across Europe.
During the year, FSI also detected and notified the Irish and European authorities of ten instances of new substances or unusual presentations of drugs in the Irish market.
FSI cases linked to the supply of drugs have increased from 45 a year in 2020 to 318 in 2024 – a seven-fold increase.
Lab move affects figures
The 25,170 cases submitted to FSI last year was broadly in line with the figures for the previous two years.
The number of reports provided by the body fell, however, to 17,980 – a drop it attributed to the investment in resources needed to start up a new laboratory.
During the year, FSI moved to its new laboratory and headquarters in the Backweston Campus outside Celbridge, Co Kildare.
FSI reported on 41 suspicious death investigations in 2024 – a 17% increase on the 2023 figure of 35.
DNA profiling was carried out to assist with body identification in 161 investigations involving 192 individuals.
The report shows that 5,927 profiles from individuals were added to the DNA database in 2024, bringing the total number held to 83,489.