For Immediate Release
November 2, 2005
|
Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
|
FBI
LABORATORY PARTNERS WITH 4 REGIONAL CRIME
LABORATORIES TO INCREASE DNA CAPABILITIES
Washington,
D.C. -- The FBI Laboratory today announced that four regional crime laboratories
have partnered with the FBI Laboratory to augment the nation's capacity to
perform mitochondrial (mt) DNA analysis in forensic and missing persons cases.
This analysis is conducted free of charge to state and local law enforcement
agencies. MtDNA analysis is applied to biological items of evidence found
at a crime scene containing small or degraded quantities of DNA from hair,
bones, and teeth. Typically, these items contain low concentrations of degraded
DNA, making them unsuitable for nuclear DNA examinations. The high sensitivity
of mtDNA analysis allows the laboratory to obtain information from old items
of evidence associated with cold cases and small pieces of evidence containing
little biological material. It should be noted that since mtDNA is maternally
inherited and multiple individuals can have the same mtDNA type, positive
identifications are not possible using mtDNA testing.
Prior to forming this
partnership, the FBI Laboratory was the only crime laboratory in the country
that performed mtDNA examinations free of charge to state and local law enforcement
agencies. The FBI Laboratory conducted mtDNA analysis in over 600 cases during
Fiscal Year 2005. The nation's capacity to deliver this analysis to the criminal
justice system is expected to double to over 1200 cases in Fiscal Year 2006
with the assistance of these partner laboratories. The increased use of mtDNA
analysis will not only provide valuable information for solving violent crime
and terrorism cases, it will also enhance the quantity of profiles in the
National Missing Person DNA database. This database is a valuable resource
which has the potential to identify missing persons by linking them to DNA
profiles of relatives or unidentified human remains.
On September 30, 2003,
the FBI awarded multi-year, cooperative agreements to the following agencies:
Arizona Department of
Public Safety Central Crime Laboratory in Phoenix, Arizona Connecticut
State Police Forensic Science Laboratory in Meriden, Connecticut Minnesota
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Forensic Science Laboratory in St. Paul,
Minnesota New
Jersey State Police Crime Laboratory in Trenton, New Jersey
The cooperative agreements
provide for the FBI Laboratory to equip these regional mtDNA laboratories,
to authorize casework, and to ensure that the laboratory analysis meets FBI
quality standards. In addition, the FBI Laboratory pays for the salaries
of regional laboratory personnel, supplies, and testimony travel. Since signing
the cooperative agreements, the Bureau has provided training at the FBI Laboratory
to all of the scientists from each of the regional crime laboratories in
laboratory procedures as well as scientific and legal issues affecting mtDNA
analysis and microscopic hair examinations. During this time, the regional
crime laboratories have renovated their laboratories and performed validation
studies for the procedures they will use. Partner laboratories will be responsible
for mtDNA analysis, reporting results, and testifying if necessary. The initial
term of the cooperative agreements is three years but may be renewed indefinitely
for two-year periods.
Cases will be submitted
directly to the regional mtDNA laboratories. In 2005, the crime laboratories
in Arizona, Minnesota, and New Jersey became operational on September 27th,
October 3rd, and October 31 st respectively. The Connecticut State Police
Forensic Science Laboratory is still validating procedures and protocols
for use in their laboratory. Law enforcement agencies who are interested
in this service should contact the FBI Laboratory.
The FBI Laboratory remains
committed to building long-term partnerships with state and local forensic
laboratories to provide critical forensic services as well as to develop
and implement new technologies. The Bureau continues to benefit from working
with talented and dedicated employees from these regional crime laboratories
as well as from international, national, state, and local laboratories.
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