Rapid DNA for crime scene use: Enhancements and data needed to consider use on forensic evidence for State and National DNA Databasing – An agreed position statement by ENFSI, SWGDAM and the Rapid DNA Crime Scene Technology Advancement Task Group

Abstract

Rapid DNA was originally developed to be a fully automated process of developing a DNA profile from a reference sample buccal (cheek) swab without human intervention [ [1] Romsos E.L. Vallone P.M. Rapid PCR of STR markers: applications to human identification. Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2015; 18: 90-99 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (32) Google Scholar ]. Over the last few years, interest in using Rapid DNA technology to analyze evidence from crime scenes has grown. Rapid DNA instruments are not however, at present, sufficiently matured for use in analyzing crime scene evidence for automatic submission to CODIS [ 2 Mapes A.A. Kloosterman A.D. de Poot C.J. Van Marion V. Objective data on DNA success rates can aid the selection process of crime samples for analysis by rapid mobile DNA technologies. Forensic Sci. Int. 2016; 264: 28-33 Crossref PubMed Scopus (12) Google Scholar , 3 NDAA position statement on Use of Rapid DNA Technology. 2018https://dps.alaska.gov/getmedia/fb933229-8e52-4cf8-8fe0-cb72d5e039e3/NDAA-Statement-on-Use-of-Rapid-DNA-Technology-2018.pdf Google Scholar , 4 SWGDAM Position Statement on Rapid DNA Analysis. 2017https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/4344b0_f84df0465a2243218757fac1a1ccffea.pdf Google Scholar , 5 A.S.C.L.D. Position Statement (2017), https://www.ascld.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ASCLD-Position-Statement-RAPID-DNA.pdf (accessed March 2020). Google Scholar ]. In the United States, enactment of the Rapid DNA Act of 2017 has fueled law enforcement’s enthusiasm for using this technology to analyze forensic evidence [ [6] H. Murphy, Coming Soon to a Police Station Near You: The DNA “Black Box” NY Times, January 21, 2019; available at https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/21/science/dna-crime-gene-technology.html. (accessed March 2020). Google Scholar ]. Currently, the inherent sample differences between a pristine single source reference buccal sample and evidence found at a crime scene have not been addressed in the literature. Forensic evidence presents many challenges that must be overcome, including variation in sample types, as well as the age of the sample, exposure to the environment, and the amount and quality of DNA the sample(s) may contain. Additionally, an extremely critical challenge frequently encountered with forensic evidence is mixtures of DNA from more than one individual that will require complex analysis and interpretation by trained and qualified forensic DNA scientists often with the aid of validated software tools.