The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office has announced that its Forensic Science Laboratory DNA section is back in action, following a temporary halt in DNA testing and analysis due to a contamination concern. A DNA profile detected in a control sample had flagged the risk, leading to an intensive investigation by the lab's team.

Upon investigating, forensic scientists linked the stray DNA to a plastic plate from a third-party vendor, which had made its way into labs not just in Minnesota but around the world. With new equipment now in place, the lab is set to resume its critical work in the criminal justice system. "The knowledge and expertise that these forensic scientists bring to Hennepin County and the criminal justice system, at large, is invaluable," Sheriff Dawanna Witt said in a statement, as reported on the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office website.

In light of the discovery of contamination, a vast review of over 50,000 samples from previous cases was conducted, leading to a recommendation for fewer than 10 cases to potentially be retested – though no formal requests for retesting have been made to date. 

Expert forensic scientists on staff, who collectively boast more than 75 years of experience, operate within a laboratory that prides itself on meeting the rigorous standards required for ANAB ISO 17025 international accreditation. Their resolve in facing challenges head-on ensures that justice can be served with the utmost confidence in the forensic science supporting it. More details concerning the lab and its operations can be found by visiting the official Hennepin Sheriff website.