DNA evidence has resulted in more criminal convictions in the past year — and could also be used to solve previously closed cases, said National Security Minister David Burch.

Yesterday Senator Burch said a team of 18 officers from overseas had been hired to "supplement the investigating arms in the Police force" and were finding success with new DNA technologies.

While in the Senate, he said there have been five instances this year of people being charged and convicted of gun crime, adding: "The proof is in the pudding".

Included in the list of convictions have been Anthony Swan, Dwayne Signor, Cervio Cox and Alvone Maybury who appeared in court on separate gun related crimes this year.

Sen Burch said: "There have been some major shifts in terms of policing approach to solving crime in the country. That has led to some of the cases we have had recently. It really is encouraging for me who gets briefed on a regular basis."

He said he was concerned for families who lost loved ones, where police were unable to solve the case.

He added: "We expect very soon some of these will be corrected too because of the work this team has done."

Sen Burch spoke of a number of improvements within law enforcement teams and how they dealt with crime on the Island.

He said the quiet period without violence in recent weeks was not by accident or because shooters had grown tired, but because of the good work of the Bermuda Police Service.

Another advance in crime fighting techniques has been the use of CCTV cameras.

He said these were "providing intelligence to the police to allow them to do their job better".

Portable surveillance equipment was being used at events around the Island as a proactive measure and have also been added to areas like Barnes Corner, he said.

Sen Burch said the number of unconfirmed reports of gun shots to confirmed ones was almost triple to one. While it was good people felt comfortable enough to provide information to Police, he said it also meant that the crime statistics were soaring.

"The reality of our situation is if you look at the statistics yes we have gun crime, we have had an increase in gun crime, we have young people who I cannot explain (why), and do not think most adults can explain (or) most of them can explain why they are hell bent on killing one another."

He said the violence was generally over being slighted or disrespected and said: "It needs more than just a policing response there has to be a holistic approach."

During the wide ranging discussion, he commended Assistant Commissioner David Mirfield for making great gains in the position.

In addition to his expertise and ability, he said Mr Mirfield won the position because of his dedication to fighting crime on the streets, instead of from behind a desk.

"(Mr. Mirfield) is on a two-year contract to not only help us solve crime and raise standards in local policing, but also to identify a successor."

Sen Burch said giving young Bermudians the proper tools and training to replace Mr. Mirfield would be "good for the country, for the service, and for young Bermudians who aspire to come into the service and become Commissioner one day. There has got to be opportunities for them to get to that point."