Rapid DNA for County Jail Booking

There is a delay in time and the potential to miss or duplicate the collection, processing, enrollment, and search of qualifying arrestee DNA samples against unsolved crimes in the CODIS DNA database. This delay can result in a potential offender’s release from custody before identifying potential investigative leads to previously unsolved case(s). The Lake County Sheriff’s Office proposes to implement a Rapid DNA Booking program in partnership with the FDLE state crime lab, Florida’s CODIS Agency, to automate the testing process for low-complexity Arrestee DNA Samples, elevate investigative and operational efficiency, improve law enforcement outcomes, and allow the forensic crime laboratory to focus its efforts on more complex, high-priority DNA casework and database activities. Additionally, community relationships inherently improve when potential suspects are quickly eliminated and identified while the arrestee is still in custody by forensic science methods that minimize the potential for racial and other socio-economic biases. All of these benefits serve public safety and create safer communities.

The purpose is to enable trained Lake County Sheriff’s Office booking agents to process qualifying arrestee DNA samples as a part of their booking process, to automatically enroll and search against crime scene DNA profiles in the State and National DNA Database to identify any association to unsolved crimes while the arrestee is still in custody.  

Project activities include implementing policies and procedures that adhere to Standards for the Operation of Rapid DNA Booking Systems by Law Enforcement Booking Agencies and Best Practices for Law Enforcement Use; purchase and installation of the Rapid DNA Systems; integration of the Rapid DNA information to a dedicated, secure criminal justice information network; end-to-end integration testing; personnel training; and program management/ coordination with supporting and participating agencies to utilize the system. Expected outcomes include ensuring all qualifying arrestee DNA are enrolled and searched, faster response times, enhanced investigative and operational efficiency, and tax dollar savings (long term). Additionally, the implementation of the system will help ease the burden on the state laboratory. These outcomes will benefit the residents of Lake County, residents of Florida, and in some instances outside the state (hits to unsolved cases at the national DNA database level). The targeted service area for this project is Lake County, FL.