Rapid DNA System

The use of a Rapid DNA system is a burgeoning and quickly evolving new technology that has been embraced by law enforcement agencies nation-wide.  In 2010, the FBI established a Rapid DNA Program Office to help direct the development and integration of the Rapid DNA technology for use by law enforcement.  The Program Office (of the FBI) works with the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Institute of Standards, along with state and local law enforcement agencies and state bureaus of identification through the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division Advisory Policy Board to facilitate the effective and efficient integration of Rapid DNA for local and state law enforcement use. 

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office plans to use a Rapid DNA system as a regional asset to solve crimes by utilizing recovered DNA from crime scenes.  The use of a Rapid DNA system serves two critical purposes.  First, it gives law enforcement the ability to process DNA found and or recovered from a crime scene by using a sample of the DNA and submitting that sample via a Rapid DNA system which in turn, can produce a DNA profile in approximately 90 minutes that can link a suspect to the crime.  Conversely, the same system can eliminate a potential suspect thus reducing any possibility of focusing on an innocent individual.  Second, the Rapid DNA system can also be used to help first responders identify victims and loved ones who are victims of mass casualties and mass casualty natural disasters. 

The expected outcomes of this project are increases in solving numerous crimes including homicides, robberies, rapes, assaults, burglaries, and auto thefts which currently go unsolved due to limitations in DNA processing at the State lab.  This system will also aid in the identification of deceased individuals who may be victims of crimes, natural disasters, or man-made disasters.