The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) has been recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) with the August Vollmer Leadership in Forensic Science Award for its innovative statewide Rapid DNA program.
The award recognizes law enforcement agencies that demonstrate proactive and innovative use of forensic technologies to advance criminal investigations and strengthen the collection, analysis, and use of evidence. The award is named for August Vollmer, often referred to as the “Father of American Policing,” who advocated for the use of forensic science and investigative technologies, including fingerprinting and crime laboratories.
PSP’s Rapid DNA program has a network of 15 fully automated genetic analyzers across the Commonwealth, providing law enforcement agencies with the ability to develop investigative DNA leads in hours rather than the weeks traditionally associated with laboratory processing.
Since its inception, the PSP has used Rapid DNA instrumentation to process over 354 samples which developed 190 DNA profiles, leading to 163 matches that have aided PSP investigations. The program was expanded in 2026 to provide municipal law enforcement agencies with access to Rapid DNA capabilities for qualifying, time-sensitive investigations.
The statewide initiative is the largest implementation of Rapid DNA technology to date and creates a distributed forensic resource serving both urban and rural communities. PSP has developed standardized policies, comprehensive training protocols, and centralized oversight to promote consistent operations and maintain scientific and quality-assurance standards across all locations.
“Receiving the August Vollmer Leadership in Forensic Science Award highlights PSP’s ongoing commitment to our statewide Rapid DNA program, the first of its kind in the nation,” said Lieutenant Colonel George L. Bivens, Acting Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “By investing in innovative and forward-thinking technology and making Rapid DNA accessible to law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth, we provide investigators with timely, accurate information while helping deliver answers to victims and their families when they need them most.”
Rapid DNA technology complements, rather than replaces, traditional forensic laboratory analysis. By providing timely investigative leads, Rapid DNA allows traditional laboratories to continue focusing resources on complex cases and comprehensive forensic examinations.
PSP’s program combines emerging technology with standardized policies, robust training protocols, and centralized oversight mechanisms to ensure uniform performance across all locations throughout the Commonwealth. This approach provides a framework for integrating Rapid DNA into law enforcement operations while maintaining scientific integrity and accountability.
The recognition of PSP’s Rapid DNA program highlights the collaborative efforts of PSP personnel and law enforcement partners to expand access to advanced forensic technology and strengthen investigative capabilities throughout the Commonwealth.
This award reflects the Shapiro Administration’s continued commitment to ensuring law enforcement has the tools and resources they need to protect our communities. Since Governor Josh Shapiro took office, violent crime has gone down 16%, and homicides have decreased by 39%. He built on this progress by signing the 2026-27 state budget, which invests $16.2 million to support four additional cadet classes for the PSP, approximately 380 Troopers, delivering in full on his core promise to put 2,000 more law enforcement officers and Troopers on the beat in our communities. To date, the Governor has secured funding for 16 cadet classes to train over 1,600 new State Troopers and obtained funding through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to help municipal police departments recruit and retain nearly 700 municipal police officers across the Commonwealth.
Data from Commonwealth of Pennsylvania