Rapid DNA hit gigantic milestones in February and July of this year when the FBI approved two instruments from ANDE Corporation and Thermo Fisher Scientific, respectively, for use in booking stations.
And while states are still building the infrastructure needed to use these systems, the FBI and other stakeholders are already paving a path for Rapid DNA at the crime scene and for use in CODIS.
In a presentation at ISHI 32, Douglas Hares, Rapid DNA implementation program advisor for the FBI, announced that the agency has joined forces with the National Institutes of Justice (NIJ) to test the limitations of Rapid DNA enhancements at the crime scene in a new multi-lab study.
The expected enhancements from ANDE and Thermo come out of a joint position statement published in July 2021 by ENFSI, SWGDAM and the Rapid DNA Crime Scene Technology Advancement Task Group that identified five major areas that must be addressed before Rapid DNA instruments can be tested and evaluated for the analysis of forensic evidence for state and national DNA databasing purposes.
The FBI Lab study will target 12 laboratories—6 for each instrument manufacturer— to determine the limitations of the enhanced technology through sensitivity and mixture studies. The study will also seek to determine the variability between instruments from the same manufacturer. Ultimately, two independent articles will be published, one per manufacturer.
“It is not a validation study, but it does help us target the areas we are looking at—the limitations,” said Hares.
The target date for commencement of the study is August 15, 2022; however, that is contingent on one or both manufacturers meeting the enhancement requirements by then. The study may begin by that date if one manufacturer is prepared, even if the other is not. The second must then meet the requirements no later than March 15, 2023. If neither company meets the requirements by August, the study will begin as soon as one manufacturer is prepared, allowing a six-month window from then for the second company to participate.
But, as Hares explained, the study is only the second phase of a 5-phase vision for Rapid DNA integration for crime scene sample analysis and CODIS. Once the studies are published, data-supported recommendations will be made to SWGDAM, who will then be able to publish validation guidance in Phase 3.
The last two phases—which span state/local CODIS lab use of Rapid DNA on crime scene samples and ultimate approval—will require substantially more changes, recommendations and validations. Phase 4, for example, requires a change to Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing for Rapid DNA as, currently, the approved language only allows fully automated analysis. Phase 4 will rely on “Modified Rapid DNA,” which adds a human component for interpretation. NDIS-approved chemistry will also be necessary in order to upload these profiles into NDIS or CODIS.
“The FBI envisions the development of a modified crime scene Rapid DNA program that is covered under the accreditation umbrella of a CODIS laboratory,” said Hares.
Grants for Rapid DNA infrastructure
For those still working on integrating Rapid DNA into the electronic booking process, Hares said the FBI is working on securing grants that can help accomplish this. As was the case this year, FY 2022 JAG grants are expected to be available for this purpose. Additionally, the FBI hopes FY 2022 SAKI grants will also include language for Rapid DNA at booking stations under the lawfully owned DNA section.