Rapid DNA Legislation Passes Out of House Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Rapid DNA Act, introduced by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) passed out of the House Judiciary Committee and is on its way to a full vote on the floor of the House of Representatives.

If passed, the Rapid DNA Act would establish a system for the integration of Rapid DNA instruments for use by law enforcement to help reduce the DNA backlog. Unlike traditional DNA analysis, which can take weeks, Rapid DNA analysis permits processing of DNA samples in approximately 90 minutes or less.

This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way in which arrested individuals are enrolled in the criminal justice system, shorten the time required for their DNA to be linked to unsolved crimes, and expedite the exoneration of innocent suspects by giving law enforcement officials a new system that meets FBI quality assurance standards to compare DNA samples collected at the time of an arrest to profiles in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

Congressman Sensenbrenner: “Today’s passage of the Rapid DNA Act out of the House Judiciary Committee is a promising development that brings us one step closer to safer communities throughout the nation. Rapid DNA technology is an effective tool for law enforcement that will help quickly identify arrestees and offenders, as well as reduce the overwhelming backlog in forensic DNA analysis. It will also make crime fighting efforts more efficient and help prevent future crimes from occurring, which saves time and taxpayer dollars. I look forward to this smart legislation moving forward to a vote on the House floor.”

Read More @ urbanmilwaukee below:

http://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/rapid-dna-legislation-passes-out-of-house-judiciary-committee/

Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists WANTS YOU to present in their DNA SESSION

http://www.neafs.org/index.php/annual-meeting

WE WANT YOUR DNA PRESENTATIONS!

SelectaDNA makes debut at TN Subway Sub Location

A Subway franchise in Knoxville, Tenn. is the first US business to arm itself with “intruder spray,” which tags would-be robbers with a product called SelectaDNA. According to the manufacturer, the solution contains “a unique DNA code which can be used to uniquely mark and trace both items of property and criminals.”

SelectaDNA’s US distributor, Johan Larsen, told the Knoxville News-Sentinel that the system is already being used in Australia and Europe. Successfully, at least according to company claims.

Anyone bold enough to ignore warning signs and break into (or bust out of) the sandwich shop will be coated in a fine mist of synthetic DNA. The spray is “traceable for weeks” and is “only visible with a glow under ultraviolet light,”

Read more at: http://truecrime.io9.com/restaurant-installs-intruder-spray-to-tag-burglars-wi-1703737555

FBI Admits Faulty Hair Match Testimony

With federal officials’ acknowledgment that nearly an entire unit of FBI forensic examiners overstated testimony about hair matches for decades, legal analysts say the question now is how courts and prosecutors will respond to criminal convictions that may have relied on such evidence. Read more at the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/after-fbi-admits-overstating-forensic-hair-matches-focus-turns-to-cases/2015/04/20/a846aca8-e766-11e4-9a6a-c1ab95a0600b_story.html

The Federal Bureau of Investigation announces overstatement of forensic hair matches in hundreds of cases over two decades.

National Commission on Forensic Science Draft Documents

The National Commission on Forensic Science has released another round of draft documents for public comment. Criminal Justice stake holders are encouraged to weigh in on the policies being suggested for implementation in the field. Comments are due by May 15th. Take an active role in shaping the field.

http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;dct=FR+PR+N+O+SR;rpp=10;po=0;D=DOJ-LA-2015-0004