Bucks County Sheriff Rapid DNA

Bucks County is constantly looking to improve efficiency in their departments both as a responsibility to taxpayers and to better allocate limited resources. Aside from improving law enforcement outcomes, the county sees a serious benefit through future increased efficiency. The PA state crime lab constantly faces difficult decisions when allocating resources. They have sexual assault kits, evidence from homicide crime scenes etc. It is difficult to justify property crime DNA analysis when there is a rape victim waiting for DNA confirmation against their assailant. Rapid DNA helps ease this burden by automating the process for low-complexity DNA samples. The technology will allow the crime lab to better focus its efforts on complex, high priority casework while police officers can generate scientific investigative leads themselves. Importantly, Rapid DNA can also support improvements in community relationships by removing opportunities for racial or other socio-economic biases to lead investigations. With Rapid DNA, law enforcement will be able to rely on forensic science in generating leads and identifying criminal suspects – while at the same time eliminating the innocent. Criminal investigations benefit, public safety benefits, and our community benefits.