Detailing the process of identifying and the outcomes of efforts to address lawfully "owed" DNA

While missed DNA sample collection has been an identified problem for decades, there has yet to be a scholarly publication related to a large-scale effort to address lawfully "owed" DNA outside of a prison system. Lawfully owed DNA samples are DNA samples that legally should have been collected and entered into Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) based upon a qualifying offense but were not. As the first jurisdiction funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance's Sexual Assault Kit Initiative to address lawfully owed DNA, this case study fills this knowledge gap by answering four key questions: What was the scope of the problem in this jurisdiction? What was the process by which individuals who owe were identified? What were the outcomes of these efforts? And what were the lessons learned and recommendations for other jurisdictions? Findings from this case study indicate widespread DNA sample collection issues in this jurisdiction, with nearly 15,000 identified as owing DNA over the span of approximately 7 years. Efforts to collect lawfully owed DNA samples from those who owe over a duration of approximately five and a half years have resulted in about one-fifth now being in CODIS, about 4% of these newly collected DNA profiles resulted in a forensic hit, and a quarter of those hits have resulted in a prosecution. This study serves as an important blueprint for other jurisdictions and underscores the importance of having effective policies and practices to help ensure that all who should lawfully have their DNA collected and uploaded into CODIS do.

Comparison of DNA typing success in compromised blood and touch samples based on sampling swab composition

Sample collection at the crime scene can introduce variations in DNA recovery based upon the substrate from which a sample is collected, the material of the collection device used, or the storage conditions after collection. There are many factors during this process that can degrade the sample during drying and storage, and before DNA extraction can be performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the performance of standard cotton swab collection with the Bode BioSafe^® swab, which includes both a desiccant at the swab head and proprietary compounds to prevent degradation of the sample during sample collection and preservation. Blood and touch DNA samples were collected from porous and nonporous substrates and stored at elevated temperatures to simulate accelerated time. DNA quantification and STR profile data were used to assess the performance of the swabs. BioSafe^® swab collection resulted in similar DNA yields from blood samples and significantly higher DNA yields from touch samples when compared to collection with cotton swabs. BioSafe^® swabs also resulted in higher DNA integrity during long-term storage, increased STR profile success and improved retention of low-level contributor alleles.