One-third of DNA and drug samples submitted by gardaí to the State's Forensic Science Laboratory are not processed because it is so poorly resourced, a Government-commissioned report has found.
The expert report says the investigation of crime has "seriously" suffered as a result, while vital Garda intelligence is also being lost.
It found that while productivity is high at the facility at Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin, it is very poorly staffed and equipped. Its accommodation and storage facilities are "completely inadequate".
The laboratory is the only one in the State to which gardaí submit samples of drugs, DNA and other materials to be analysed for evidential purposes. Of the 80 authorised positions at the laboratory, some 17 are vacant. There are 12 full-time analyst posts authorised, but just one of these is filled.
The report recommends all vacant posts be filled immediately, and notes that current recruitment takes "indefensibly long" periods. It also recommends the creation of 40 more posts.
The report, by Prof Ingvar Kopp, former head of Sweden's forensic service, also reveals the laboratory is unable to process tests for controlled drugs in DNA samples submitted by gardaí investigating sexual assaults.
It has proven unable to keep apace with Garda demands for toxicology reports and in the processing of telephone records in crime investigations.
Levels of resourcing are so poor that Prof Kopp believes gardaí do not send very significant amounts of samples to be tested because they know the laboratory cannot cope. This is known as "suppressed demand".
Between 2000 and 2006, gardaí sent some 61,639 drugs samples to the laboratory, which supplies paperwork to gardaí for prosecutions verifying drug type. Of these, 20,409 were never processed.
Prof Kopp believes the number of suppressed demand cases in the drugs area is 10,000 annually.
"The only conclusion can be that the detection of crime is weakened," Prof Kopp says. A similar situation exists in the processing of DNA samples. Between 2000 and 2006, gardaí sent some 2,332 cases for processing; 553 were never processed. Suppressed demand in the DNA area is running at 1,000 cases annually.
Prof Kopp concludes: "Comparisons with other countries show that [ the laboratory] has not been able to use science in criminal investigations to its full potential. This has to stop."
The report, commissioned in December 2006 and published yesterday, is also critical of the way scientists' time is taken up with paperwork and attending court cases to give evidence.
Reacting to Prof Kopp's report yesterday, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Brian Lenihan said it provided useful advice on "several fronts".
Announcing 20 new posts for the laboratory, Mr Lenihan said these would bring staffing levels to over 100, which was a 40 per cent increase in the past 12 months.