Without a clear direction tow ards potential culprits, forensics teams find investigations to be, quite literally, a“ shot in the dark.” As of now, the FBI and the police barely use DNA processing to investigate who has committed a crime, merely resolving to utilize interrogation tactics or fingerprints to determine suspects. However, these methods prove to be quite unreliable because people have been able to get away from rape, murders, and robberies, with 97 out of every 100 rapists escaping imprisonment due to the lack of DNA testing, according to RAINN, the US’ s largest anti-sexual violence organization.
Given the present inability to determine culprits, science has joined hands with forensics to establish an accurate and efficient form of criminal investigation using DNA profiling. This method of rapid DNA profiling was used by the IntegenX company headquartered in Pleasanton, California. It’ s RapidHIT system was used for the first time in court in 2015 to convict someone of a murder case.
Rapid DNA used by IntegenX is an automated process developing a CODIS( combined DNA index system) and Core STR( short tandem repeats) profile( shown below). RapidHIT operates by first, taking a reference sample such as swab from the inside of the cheek, then placing it in a cartridge inserted into the machine. RapidHIT then generates a full DNA profile using a PCR( polymerase chain reaction) to transcribe and mass produce regions of DNA in addition to CE( capillary electrophoresis) to separate the resulting PCR regions and copy the DNA. Finally, it compares the DNA sample to a national database and determines if there is a match. This technology is an incredible breakthrough: not only does it automate the process but also slashes the time to process DNA samples in forensics labs from two days to merely ninety minutes.
With RapidHIT ' s great efficiency and accuracy, the FBI and other law enforcement organizations can finally address the vague and misguided investigations they encounter. For instance, the Department of Homeland Security looks to clamp down on human trafficking by ensuring that children entering the US are related to the adults with them. While DNA testing once was incredibly inconvenient and expensive, IntegenX’ s RapidHIT system condenses and cheapens the process to be readily accessible. Of course, RapidHIT does have its downsides. While the technology does have the ability to process DNA, IntegenX’ s CEO Robert Scheuren admitted there are certain nuances to the development of a genomic profile, such as isolating DNA particles in bodily fluids from a rape kit. In addition, there is a growing fear of privacy concerns: with the RapidHIT system’ s ease of use and potential portability, these DNA tests could transition from a regulated forensics room to the back of a police car. Quoting Schueren,“ We ' re not always aware of how it ' s being used. All we can say is that it ' s used to give an accurate identification of an individual."
Ultimately, for investigators to use Integen- X’ s RapidHIT system, the technology definitely needs to expand its capabilities and be put under strict legislative restrictions. However, RapidHIT is a bright light in the dark and misguided field of DNA profiling, potentially playing an integral role in the future of forensics.
" CODIS- NDIS Statistics." FBI. FBI, 22 Nov. 2016. Web. 23 Nov. 2016. https:// www. fbi. gov / services / laboratory / biometric-analysis / codis / ndisstatistics
Shane Bauer. " The FBI Is Very Excited about This Machine That Can Scan Your DNA in 90 Minutes." Mother Jones. N. p., n. d. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. The FBI Is Very Excited About This Machine That Can Scan Your... http:// integenx. com / wp-content / uploads / 2014 / 08 / CrimeScienceInformer _ Issue-01-2014-Features-Section. pdf
" Touch DNA: From the Crime Scene to the Crime Laboratory." Forensic Magazine. N. p., 14 June 2016. Web. 23 Nov. 2016. http:// www. forensicmag. com / article / 2013 / 04 / touch-dna-crime-scenecrime-laboratory
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