PRINCETON, New Jersey, April 30 /PRNewswire/ --

- As a Result of its Success in the North West/South West and Wales Regional Tender, the Company Has Begun Providing the Police with Forensic Services That Have a Potential Value of US$10 Million Annually -

Orchid Cellmark Inc. (Nasdaq: ORCH), a leading worldwide provider of identity DNA testing services, today announced that it has signed contracts and started DNA testing and other forensic services work with a number of U.K. police forces. This work was awarded to Orchid Cellmark under the new North West/South West and Wales regional forensic tender after a rigorous and competitive bidding process.

Orchid Cellmark has been awarded three-year contracts, each extendable for a further two years, to provide forensic services, including DNA testing of database crime scene samples, forensic casework and PACE samples (Police and Criminal Evidence Act DNA) for multiple police forces that have collectively tendered their work. Orchid Cellmark has already started DNA testing work for some of these police force customers and is currently preparing to begin servicing the others. Orchid Cellmark has recently strengthened its infrastructure to reinforce its competitiveness and provide expanded operational capabilities under the new system.

Thomas Bologna, Orchid Cellmark President and Chief Executive Officer said, "We are extremely pleased that this long awaited regional award has finally come to fruition. To date, we have been awarded contracts to conduct DNA and other forensic services for multiple police forces in the region, with a potential revenue value of approximately US$10 million annually. To support this expected business growth as well as future growth, as previously announced, Orchid will be building a new regional facility in North West England in order to provide the best service possible to our new customers." Mr. Bologna added, "We anticipate that the remaining police forces in the U.K. will tender their forensics work starting later this year or early next year and we intend to compete for their business, as well."

About Orchid Cellmark

Orchid Cellmark Inc. is a leading international provider of DNA testing services for human identity testing and agricultural applications. In the human identity area, Orchid Cellmark provides DNA testing services for forensic investigation, paternity testing and family relationship analysis 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 segments 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 http://www.orchid.com.

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 US$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.

Information contained in our press releases should be considered accurate only as of the date of the release. Information in any press release may be superseded by more recent information we have disclosed in later press releases, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise. Press releases may contain forward-looking statements based on the expectations of our management as of the date of the release. Actual results may materially differ based on several factors, including those described in the press release.

Contacts Investors: Media: Mary Bashore Barbara Lindheim Orchid Cellmark Inc. GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners +1-609-750-2324 +1-212-918-4650

Web site: http://www.orchid.com

Investors, Mary Bashore of Orchid Cellmark Inc., +1-609-750-2324, or Media, Barbara Lindheim of GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners, +1-212-918-4650