To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the potential for the operational review of techniques on forensic analysis (Operation Cube) to delay the conduct of police investigations in Northern Ireland. (132059)

An issue has arisen regarding examinations for traces of DNA undertaken by the Forensic Science Service (FSS), during the period December 1999 and September 2005. FSS has provided PSNI with a list of those cases that it believes may have been affected. PSNI is presently gathering further information regarding the investigative status of cases on the list and their priority before deciding upon further action.