A brief history of the formation of DNA databases in forensic science within Europe Peter D. Martin a,* , Hermann Schmitter b , Peter M. Schneider c a 32 Oak®eld Gardens, Kent, BR3 3AZ Beckenham, UK b Serology Department, Bundeskriminalamt, Thaerstr. 11, 65193 Wiesbaden, Germany c Institute of Legal Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University, Am Pulverturm 3, 55131 Mainz, Germany Received 10 September 2000; accepted 14 November 2000 Abstract The introduction of DNA analysis to forensic science brought with it a number of choices for analysis, not all of which were compatible. As laboratories throughout Europe were eager to use the new technology different systems became routine in different laboratories and consequently, there was no basis for the exchange of results. A period of co-operation then started in which a nucleus of forensic scientists agreed on an uniform system. This collaboration spread to incorporate most of the established forensic science laboratories in Europe and continued through two major changes in the technology. At each step agreement was reached on which systems to use. From the beginning it was realised that DNA databases would provide the criminal justice systems with an ef®cient way of crime solving and consequently some local databases were created. It was not until the introduction of the ampli®cation technology linked to the analysis of short tandem repeats that a suf®ciently sensitive and robust system was available for the formation of ef®cient and effective DNA databases. Comprehensive legislation enacted in the UK in 1995 enabled forensic scientists to set up the ®rst national DNA database which would hold both personal DNA pro®les together with results obtained from crime scenes. Other countries quickly followed but in some the legislation has severely restricted the amount and type of data which can be retained and, therefore, effectiveness of the databases is limited. The widespread use of commercially produced multiplex kits has produced a situation in which nearly all European laboratories are using compatible systems and there is, therefore, the potential for the introduction of a pan- European DNA database. However, the exchange of results between countries is hampered by the various legislations which currently exist. # 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Restriction fragment length polymorphism; Genetic ®ngerprint; Single locus probing 1. Origins Before the use of molecular biology in forensic science became a reality, a set of blood group markers red cell antigens together with enzyme and serum protein poly- morphisms) were used to identify victims and suspects in crime cases. At that time, the practitioners in forensic science laboratories throughout Europe and North America were all known to each other through conferences, visits etc. and enjoyed a healthy level of co-operation and uniformity of methodologies. DNA analysis in forensic science had been suggested in the early 1980's using restriction fragment length poly- morphism RFLP) determination by hybridisation to speci®c probes following DNA digestion with restriction endonu- cleases [1,2]. Although the systems used demonstrated the ability to determine greater variability at the chosen loci than had previously been possible with traditional blood group analysis, there did not appear to be the potential for approaching individuality. There was great enthusiasm amongst the forensic science community for the momentous discovery of the minisatellite approach to individualisation [3], which was pioneered by Forensic Science International 119 2001) 225±231 * Corresponding author. Tel.: 44-20-82-89-3673. E-mail addresses: pdmartin@mcmail.com P.D. Martin), her- mann.schmitter@t-online.de H. Schmitter), pschneid@mail.uni- mainz.de P.M. Schneider). 0379-0738/01/$ ± see front matter # 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. PII:S0379-073800)00436-9