University of Leicester Forensic Science Institute opens

The University of Leicester says it aims to be a leader, innovator and agenda setter in the forensic science field. Credit: PA

The University of Leicester's new Alec Jeffreys Forensic Science Institute will be launched today.

The University says the Institute will help police forces with some requests previously handled by the former Forensic Science Service (FSS). They say it aims to be a leader, innovator and agenda setter in the forensic science field.

The building will be named after Leicester scientist Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys from the Department of Genetics. Jeffreys pioneered techniques for DNA profiling and fingerprinting which are now used around the world.