Hernando County in Florida has become the first in the state to implement rapid DNA technology into its detention center booking system which can help crack unsolved cases more quickly. CODES or the Combined DNA Index System, will receive DNA samples from inmates, specifically those accused of committing serious crimes. The DNA will be cross-checked against unsolved cases in less than 24 hours.
Key Elements:
- The technology can develop a DNA profile without a lab or human interpretation in just 1-2 hours
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) aim is to enroll qualified detainees in the CODIS immediately
- Rapid DNA technology requires a larger sample size compared to regular lab procedures and is not at present approved for use on crime scene samples
- The FDLE is in talks with the FBI and sheriff’s offices to get more rapid DNA technology services in play.
The implementation of rapid DNA analysis represents a significant shift in how law enforcement is conducted, allowing authorities to solve cases more rapidly. By collecting DNA samples from those accused of severe crimes, the Hernando County detention center booking unit can match these samples with unsolved cases using the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The samples, which are collected via mouth swab, are entered into the CODIS within 24 hours, where the DNA is then compared with unsolved crimes in the database.
The rapid DNA technology has the ability to generate a DNA profile within 1-2 hours without the need for a DNA laboratory or human interpretation. The ultimate goal of the rapid DNA initiative, as stated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, is to get those arrestees who are eligible, enrolled into CODIS immediately. It creates a significant change in the landscape of Florida law enforcement by solving crimes at a quicker rate.
However, one limitation for the technology is that it requires a larger sample size than that which is needed for standard laboratory processing, and it is not currently approved for use on crime scene samples. To overcome this limitation and expand the use of rapid DNA technology, the FDLE is collaborating with the FBI and local sheriff’s offices.
The deployment of rapid DNA technology is a big step forward in the field of law enforcement. It not only helps in solving cases faster but also enforces the justice system’s efficiency and reliability. Hernando County is certainly paving the way by becoming the first county in Florida to implement this game-changing technology.