PRINCETON, N.J., April 12, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orchid Cellmark Inc. (Nasdaq:ORCH), a leading international provider of identity DNA testing services, today praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) announcement that it will re-evaluate the requirements for outsourcing forensic DNA testing to private laboratories.
Current FBI quality assurance policies call for public labs to review 100% of private lab forensic DNA work before the results are uploaded into the National DNA Index System (NDIS). "These policies have historically been a barrier for public labs to use private labs because of the resource intensive nature of the technical review process," said Thomas A. Bologna, president and chief executive officer of Orchid Cellmark. "Eliminating this burden would greatly enhance the efficiency of public-private partnerships for DNA testing. It would also provide a tremendous opportunity to not only cost-effectively eliminate the current DNA testing backlog but also maintain zero backlog going forward as has been achieved in the United Kingdom, where changes to the rules governing public-private partnerships for DNA testing have already enabled significant efficiencies."
On March 23, the FBI stated that it "is currently re-evaluating existing policies, standards, and protocols, including requirements for outsourcing DNA analysis to private laboratories and review of their results by public law enforcement laboratories." The FBI's release went on to add that "private laboratories continue to be an integral part of the process and share in the success of the NDIS."
Mr. Bologna continued, "We believe that any policy change that improves the efficiency of DNA testing will be particularly important in light of President Obama's recent commitment to support DNA testing of arrestees in all fifty states as stated in his March 6 interview with John Walsh, for America's Most Wanted 1000th episode." President Obama, in referring to DNA testing for arrestees, stated, "The DNA portion of it is something that I hope to see in my lifetime, that every one of the states have DNA compliance...That's how we make sure that we continue to tighten the grip around folks who have perpetrated these crimes."
President Obama acknowledged that state government financial concerns have slowed the adoption of DNA testing and that "the states are afraid that they're going to be stuck with the bill if they become compliant." President Obama pledged increased federal resources to help the states saying, "We also want to provide some support for things like DNA testing at the state levels -- a lot of these local law enforcement officials are just strapped for some of the basic resources -- getting the databases set up. Those are all areas where I think we can provide a lot of help."
"While there is no longer debate as to the effectiveness of DNA in crime fighting and prevention, the economic challenges the States face have become a limiting factor in their implementation of necessary programs and backlog reduction," explained Mr. Bologna. "We believe the FBI announcement that it is re-evaluating policies that serve to create inefficiencies in public-private partnerships for DNA testing, coupled with President Obama's support for expanded DNA testing as expressed in his television interview on America's Most Wanted, are significant steps towards providing the needed resources to eliminate the backlog of DNA testing in the States and finally fully maximize the use of forensic DNA testing as a tool to solve crimes in this country," Mr. Bologna concluded.
Link to the FBI March 23 announcement: http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel10/ndis032310.htm
Link to President Obama's America's Most Wanted Interview: http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/president-obama-americas-most-wanted">http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/president-obama-americas-most-wanted
Link to the transcript of President Obama's America's Most Wanted Interview: http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0310/Obama_talks_DNA_on_Americas_Most_Wanted_transcript.html">http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0310/Obama_talks_DNA_on_Americas_Most_Wanted_transcript.html
About Orchid Cellmark
Orchid Cellmark (Nasdaq:ORCH) is a leading international provider of DNA testing services primarily for forensic and family relationship applications. Orchid Cellmark is one of the largest providers of forensic DNA testing services and its DNA results are used by the criminal justice system to assist with the identification of perpetrators, the exclusion of suspects and the exoneration of wrongfully convicted individuals. The company provides DNA family relationship testing to numerous child services organizations and individuals seeking to verify parentage. Orchid Cellmark also serves immigration and security authorities for DNA testing of individuals. In the agriculture field, the company provides DNA testing services for selective trait breeding. Orchid Cellmark's strong market positions in these areas reflect the company's accredited laboratories in the U.S. and U.K., its innovative genetic analysis technologies and expertise, and the company's reputation for exceptional quality, reliability and customer service for nearly two decades. More information on Orchid Cellmark can be found at www.orchidcellmark.com.
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: expectations regarding Orchid Cellmark's business operations and outlook; Orchid Cellmark's belief that any policy change that improves the efficiency of DNA testing will be particularly important in light of President Obama's recent commitment to support DNA testing of arrestees in all fifty states as stated in his March 6 interview with John Walsh, for America's Most Wanted 1000th episode; and Orchid Cellmark's belief that the FBI announcement that it is re-evaluating policies that serve to create inefficiencies in public-private partnerships for DNA testing, coupled with President Obama's support for expanded DNA testing as expressed in his television interview on America's Most Wanted, are significant steps towards providing the needed resources to eliminate the backlog of DNA testing in the United States and finally fully maximize the use of forensic DNA testing as a tool to solve crimes in this country. Such statements are subject to the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to uncertainties relating to trends in government spending, outsourcing trends, technologies, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing of Orchid Cellmark's products and services, dependence on government funding and collaborations, regulatory approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, patent protection, litigation, the timing of release of federal and state funds, the timing and amount of contracts put up for bid, and Orchid Cellmark's ability to successfully offer its services directly to U.K. police forces. These risks and other additional factors affecting these forward-looking statements and Orchid Cellmark's business are discussed under the headings "Risks Related to Our Business" and "Risks Associated with Our Common Stock" in Orchid Cellmark's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other filings made by Orchid Cellmark with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Orchid Cellmark expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Orchid Cellmark's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based, except as may be required by law.
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