The Police Force was granted just under €2 million to set up the country's first DNA database in line with its efforts to combat crime.

The money will be used to fund the database and buy an automated fingerprint identification system that will be connected to networks of other police forces. In all, the project is expected to cost about €2.7million. The difference will be footed by the government.

The police had submitted an application in June last year under an EU fund set up specifically to deal with the stepping up of Europe-wide cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime through exchange of DNA profiles, fingerprints and vehicle number-plates.

Genetic fingerprinting is used by the police all over the world to match suspects to samples of blood, hair, saliva or semen found on the crime scene.

The technology has so far been used sporadically in court but in those few occasions it often proved to be a determining factor.

In 2003, for instance, Jamal Badawi, of Greek origin, had been cleared of raping and seriously injuring a 55-year-old woman in the Floriana subway after DNA tests revealed that he had not been the perpetrator. A 16-year-old boy was subsequently charged with the crime.

Four years later, 36 year-old Brian Vella was sentenced to life after he was found guilty of murdering an elderly Santa Luċija couple, Ġiġi and Ġuża Grima back in February 2000. The case was a complex one but DNA tests on cigarette butts found on the scene of the crime proved to be the conclusive evidence needed by the prosecution to secure a conviction.

The actual testing will be carried out by private labs as is the case now but the setting up of a database will likely speed up investigations.