Orchid Cellmark applauds expansion of federal forensic DNA identity testing to include all arrestees

New Federal Rules Authorizing DNA Testing of Federal Arrestees Expected to Boost Law Enforcement’s Ability to Combat Crime Complements Recent Moves by States to Expand their DNA Database

Princeton, NJ - April 18, 2008 Orchid Cellmark Inc. (Nasdaq: ORCH), a leading worldwide provider of identity DNA testing services, today highlighted new federal regulations previewed by the U.S. Justice Department that are expected to greatly expand the forensic DNA testing of federal arrestees and illegal immigrants. The proposed regulations will authorize DNA testing and inclusion in the federal Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database of DNA profiles of all federal arrestees and illegal immigration detainees. Currently, the federal government only includes convicted felons in the CODIS database. The proposed new regulations implement provisions of the Violence Against Women Act passed by the U.S. Congress in late 2005. They are expected to result in an additional 1.2 million DNA profiles being added to CODIS annually.

"We welcome these new regulations that we expect to increase the use of forensic DNA testing, now considered by law enforcement authorities as a fundamental crime-fighting tool," said Thomas Bologna, President and Chief Executive Officer of Orchid Cellmark. "Our support reflects our experience as a major DNA testing provider both here and in the U.K., where the DNA database includes most arrestees and approximately half of crime scene evidence samples successfully match a profile already in the DNA database, contributing significantly to crime fighting efforts. We believe further expansion of forensic DNA testing through these regulations will enable U.S. law enforcement officials to solve crimes more rapidly and will also help prevent the repeat offenses committed by some criminals before they are convicted."

Thirteen states have already passed laws to include many arrestees in their DNA databanks, including California, Virginia, Maryland, Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Tennessee. California will begin collecting DNA from all felony arrestees in 2009, and legislation expanding forensic DNA testing is currently under consideration in an additional 21 states.

Mr. Bologna continued, “While we appreciate the concerns of some groups that database information could be misused, our long experience in working with the states and the federal government gives us confidence that the possibility of abuse is low, especially since the profiles included in the database do not include information relevant to health or other genetic traits, and the new regulations will specifically preclude these types of uses. As a long-established leader and innovator in the provision of forensic DNA testing services, Orchid Cellmark intends to work closely with appropriate law enforcement officials to help supply the expanded DNA testing expected to result from the new federal regulations, which we believe will further the goal of improving the effectiveness and equity of our criminal justice system."

Orchid Cellmark, one of the most respected forensic DNA testing firms in the world, is the only publicly traded firm focusing specifically on forensic DNA and other DNA identity testing.

Orchid Cellmark's U.S.-based forensic laboratories have received the prestigious accreditation of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB). Orchid Cellmark's laboratories are also certified by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and its Dallas and Nashville forensic laboratories are accredited to the International ISO/IEC 17025 Standard.

About the DNA Profiles Used in the CODIS Database
Similar to fingerprints, DNA profiles can be catalogued in a criminal justice database and DNA recovered from crime scene evidence can then be matched to profiles in the DNA database to identify possible suspects. The confidentiality of individual genetic profiles included in cr

About Orchid Cellmark
Orchid Cellmark is a leading provider of identity DNA testing services for the human identity and agriculture markets. In the human identity area, the company provides DNA testing services for forensic, family relationship and security applications. In the agriculture field, Orchid Cellmark provides DNA testing services for selective trait breeding. Orchid Cellmark’s strong market positions in these areas reflect the company’s accredited laboratories in the U.S. and U.K., its innovative genetic analysis technologies and expertise, and the world-renowned Cellmark brand that has been associated with exceptional quality, reliability and customer service for nearly two decades. More information on Orchid Cellmark can be found at www.orchid.com.

Contact:
Orchid Cellmark, Inc.
(609) 750-2200

Investors:
Mary Bashore
(609) 750-2324

Media:
Barbara Lindheim
Gendel Lindheim BioCom Partners
(212) 918-4650

All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: expectations regarding Orchid Cellmark’s business operations and outlook, our belief that the amount of work under the regional tender has a potential value of approximately $10,000,000 annually, and the anticipation that the remaining police forces in the U.K. will tender their forensics work starting later this year or early next year. Such statements are subject to the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, the risk that we are not able to regain or replace services that we previously provided to several police forces in the U.K. under an arrangement with LGC, the risk that the amount of revenue resulting from the North West/South West and Wales regional tender in the U.K. is not significant, Orchid Cellmark’s ability to timely and successfully integrate ReliaGene’s business, uncertainties relating to technologies, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing of Orchid Cellmark’s products and services, dependence on government funding and collaborations, regulatory approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, patent protection, litigation, the timing of release of federal funds, the timing and amount of contracts put up for bid, and Orchid Cellmark’s ability to successfully offer its services directly to U.K. police forces. These risks and other additional factors affecting these forward-looking statements and Orchid Cellmark’s business are discussed under the headings "Risks Related to Our Business" and "Risks Associated with Our Common Stock' in Orchid Cellmark’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other filings made by Orchid Cellmark with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Orchid Cellmark expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Orchid Cellmark’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based, except as may be required by law.

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