P140 – Oklahoma's Statewide Rapid DNA Investigative Lead Program: Validation, Implementation, and Execution

15:55

Wednesday August 19^th

Station 14

Duration: 12 minutes

04. Forensic biology

Beth Deen

Rapid DNA refers to specialized instrumentation capable of developing a short tandem repeat (STR) DNA profile in under two hours. This technology was originally designed for known DNA reference samples, specifically buccal swabs. However, technological advancements have made Rapid DNA testing possible on crime scene or investigative lead samples for the purposes of obtaining faster investigative leads through DNA database searches. Forensic DNA laboratories across the United States often face challenges in managing and maintaining current and ever-increasing case backlogs coupled with higher demands and pressure to provide DNA analysis and results in a timely manner. Thus, Rapid DNA utilized within an investigative lead program enhances public safety and security by providing investigators with presumptive DNA screening results while awaiting completion of laboratory analysis. Oklahoma law enforcement and legislative stakeholders and accredited forensic DNA laboratories across the State of Oklahoma quickly recognized the benefits of utilizing Rapid DNA technology for presumptive DNA screening and the importance of doing so under a collaborative approach. On behalf of Oklahoma law enforcement and stakeholders, legislation was proactively implemented in 2024 directing the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) to promulgate policies, procedures, forms, and training for a statewide Rapid DNA program. In January 2024, the OSBI Rapid DNA Team began development of the State’s Rapid DNA Investigative Lead Program, which fully launch January 27, 2025, after successful infrastructure development and completion of thorough internal validation of the RapidHITTM ID Rapid DNA System using RapidINTELTM Plus sample cartridges and SmallPondTM database software. Currently, the program has five active Rapid DNA instruments in three fully operational Rapid DNA workspaces located across the state, including the state’s first external partner agency, with three additional Rapid DNA workspaces being added by the end of 2026. To date, the program has seen over 170 investigative lead Rapid DNA sample runs performed by trained Rapid DNA operators from 39 Oklahoma law enforcement agencies across the state. Of these sample runs performed, 52.9% have been entered into the Rapid DNA database with 56.0% of entries resulting in database associations (“hits”). The majority of database entries have been associated with property crimes (62.64%), followed by violent crimes (21.98%), other offenses (7.69%), unidentified human remains (3.30%), sex offenses (3.30%), and drug offenses (1.10%). The careful and meticulous infrastructure design, program development and validation, and workspace expansion has been key to the success seen with Oklahoma’s Rapid DNA Investigative Lead Program.

Authors

Beth Deen (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, United States of America)
Grace Helms (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, United States of America)
J. Janice Joslin (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, United States of America)

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P140 – Oklahoma's Statewide Rapid DNA Investigative Lead Program: Validation, Implementation, and Execution

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