Crime lab worker accused of 130 improper DNA analyses

The Saga police have sent papers on the employee, in his 40s, to prosecutors and slapped him with disciplinary dismissal.

The employee admitted to the allegations and apologized for causing great inconvenience, Saga police sources said.

According to the sources, the employee allegedly fabricated DNA analyses and falsified analysis dates between June 2017 and October 2024.

The results of 16 of the improper analyses were submitted to prosecutors as evidence, including in sexual assault and attempted murder cases.

The problem came to light during the process of approving a DNA analysis result on October 16 last year.

The police then re-examined DNA samples used in 124 of the 632 analyses the employee had been involved in since 2015, while checking the remaining 508 analyses, including by comparing the data with submitted documents.

The police believe that no investigation or trial was affected by the improper DNA analyses.

The sources quoted the employee as saying that he wanted to make his job performance look better so as to get a good reputation and avoid criticism from his boss.