POLICE are alerting West Devon residents about scientific advances which are now helping crack crimes long unsolved. Because DNA testing is now a standard procedure when anyone is taken into custody, whether they are charged or not, a crime committed 12 years ago in Yelverton has now been solved. PC Colin Taylor said blood left in a vehicle which was broken into in the village in 1995 was tested and logged into the national DNA database. PC Taylor said: 'In December last year, a West Devon male was arrested in Plymouth for a public order offence. He was taken to Charles Cross and DNA was taken, as routine. 'The national database is checked on a regular basis and the DNA match came up — after 12 years.' PC Taylor said it was important to remember that DNA could be collected in a variety of ways from crime scenes. 'It has become a really good tool in catching offenders,' said PC Taylor, who also pointed out that Devon and Cornwall Police currently operate a policy called Operation Clean Slate. In line with the policy, offenders may be asked if they have committed any other crimes which they wish to be taken into consideration when in court. PC Taylor warned that with the success of DNA analysis, it was wise to 'own up' to incidents when offered the opportunity during a police interview. 'Otherwise, you could get a knock on the door from police weeks, months or, as has happened in this case, years down the line,' said PC Taylor.
