Office of Hon Simon Power MP for Rangithet Minster of ice Miniter Responsible forthe Law Comision Meister of Commerce Deputy Leader of te Howe 30. APR 2009 MrWill de Cleene mizippy@elear net nz Dear Mi de Cleene Criminal investigations (Bodily Samples) Amenament Bil “Thank you for your further email of 23 March 2009 seeking carfcation regarding the abilly sf ESR to conduct familial searches using DNA profiles. |lam advised that itis possible to conduct a familial search using the DNA profiles derived by ESR for forensic purposes in New Zealand. Wiile familial searches do nol provide conclusive proof of identity, because everyone inherits half oftheir genetic make-up from each of their parents, t will alvays be the case that a Particular erson’s DNA profie will be most like that of a close relative (eg, @ sibling oft same sex). ‘As a mati of policy, however, New Zealand Police very rarely request that a familial DNA search be undertaken by ESR (ie, they very ‘rely seek to identity known DNA profiles that ‘most closely’ match a crime scene sample, rather than ‘identifying known DNA profiles that exactly match a crime scene sample). In fact, familial searches are only attempie i the crime being investgated of the most serious nature (eg, murder, serial rapist), Police have exhausted other avenues ‘of investizaion with no result, and familial searching is appropriate for the Investgaten. There are a number of reasons for ths reluctance to do farial searches. These feasons Inchide that familial searches are resource intensive and time Consuming, and, 98 noted above, do not provide conclusive evidence of identi. | trust this clarifies the situation for you ce AC~ Hon Simon Power Minister of Justice mate Bag 1041, FalomenBudngs Welington 615, New Zealand. Telephone 4 4 17 68D} Fase 64481 6503