Cellmark - the home of DNA testing

In 2022 Cellmark celebrated 35 years of providing innovative DNA services to a wide range of customers including government agencies (such as DEFRA, DWP and UKBA), the police, the courts, the legal profession, the farming community and the general public. We employ approximately 450 people in the UK and operate from state of the art laboratory facilities at Abingdon, Oxfordshire and Chorley, Lancashire. We have a history of innovation and service excellence and an international reputation for quality.

Forensic Quality Service

A forensic quality service

Working under contract for over 75% of UK police forces in England and Wales Cellmark is one of the world’s largest private forensic service providers. At Cellmark, we provide the police with a wide-ranging, multi-disciplinary and comprehensive forensic casework service to support the investigation of criminal offences from crime scene to court.

At the forefront of forensic analysis, we provide both high throughput, highly automated analytical services, as well as targeted, high sensitivity specialist testing for the most challenging of forensic samples, all delivered within Cellmark’s extensive ISO17025 scope of accreditation. Cellmark is a UKAS accredited testing laboratory, No. 2045. 

Innovative investigative work in a range of high profile cases has established our reputation for quality and analytical excellence. This is matched by our commitment to deliver a swift, responsive service to assist police in the rapid resolution of criminal cases.

Commitment to the environment and ISO14001

At Cellmark we aim to conduct our business activities in a responsible manner in order to safeguard the environment. We operate within a framework provided by ISO14001, the international environmental standard which we have been certified to since 2010.

The Company is committed to the prevention of pollution. We review and set environmental targets annually and, wherever practical and cost-effective, the Company will seek to procure goods that are:

  • Made from recycled material
  • Are themselves recyclable
  • Have a low carbon footprint in their manufacture

The Company strives to reduce its carbon footprint year on year through greater use of energy efficient consumables, using resources efficiently and effectively, reducing wastage and improving communication technology to reduce the need to travel.

ISO 14001 SGS Logo
Cellmark History

35 years of service

Cellmark was established in 1987 by ICI after it had obtained the exclusive rights to the DNA fingerprinting technology discovered by Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys FRS. From these historic beginnings, Cellmark has grown a successful international business and established itself as a leading provider of a wide range of DNA and related forensic services.

Now, as part of one of the world's largest DNA testing companies, Cellmark has access to an enviable resource of R&D capability. With high sensitivity DNA analysis at the core of our business we continue to develop new services which capitalise on our specialist technical expertise, our drive for innovation and our proven history of reliable service delivery.

Visit our Paternity and Forensics websites for more information