NCJ Number
232360
Date Published
September 2010
Length
236 pages
Annotation
This guide seeks to help police chiefs and other law enforcement executives manage their DNA testing needs and capabilities, guiding the use of DNA evidence in criminal investigations.
Abstract
Everyday DNA evidence becomes more useful in the identification and prosecution of criminal offenders as well as ruling out innocent persons and exonerating persons who have been falsely convicted. In addition, scientists continue to make advances in the technology of DNA testing. However, the rapid expansion in the use of forensic DNA has come at a price: large backlogs of evidence waiting to be tested in many jurisdictions. With funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) examined law enforcement's use of DNA in criminal investigations. Components of this project were comprised of identifying current practices, challenges, and innovative approaches to the collection, analysis, and use of DNA evidence throughout the country. This guide is the culmination of the project, which provides police chiefs and sheriffs with guidance as they work to assess their agencies' forensic DNA needs and make forward-looking policy. Throughout the guide, major policy considerations for chiefs are identified and examples of what works and what does not are provided. Specific recommendations are highlights for all law enforcement agencies to consider. The guide is comprised of the following chapters and topics: (1) leadership and case management in a law enforcement crime lab; (2) DNA evidence collection; (3) backlogs, evidence storage, and other challenges in managing a law enforcement crime lab; (4) be an effective consumer of forensic services - optimizing an agency's relationship with public and private labs; (5) post-analysis and DNA profile databases; (6) recent developments in the use of DNA analysis; and (7) the chief's checklist. Appendixes A-H