DNA Submission Program

The JCSOCL instituted a new DNA Submission Program in June of 2010. This program is aimed at identifying the most probative evidence in order that we might analyze it first, thereby providing the most timely and meaningful results to our customer agencies. In general, these questions allow our Biology/DNA analysts to know whether or not samples are eligible for upload and/or search through CODIS, and include the necessary information they need to be able to complete their analyses in the most timely manner possible. This program specifically targets touch-type DNA only. Evidence submitted for Biology/DNA analysis that is not touch-type DNA, does not fall under this program and is eligible for submission.

 

What is "touch-type DNA"?

Touch-type DNA refers to items or swabs of items believe to have been physically touched AND when no visible DNA bearing material is obviously present. Examples include any object which the investigator believes has been physically touched or worn by the suspect, as well as swabs of items believed to have been touched or worn such as ball caps, door handles, steering wheels, or window frames. Things that are NOT considered touch-type DNA would include items or swabs of items that obviously contain DNA bearing materials such as visible blood, straws, cigarette butts, or used pop cans. These items do not fall under this program, and are eligible for submission.

What ISN'T eligible for submission under this program?

Cases not currently eligible for submission are any non-persons crime case which contains only touch-type DNA and does not have a known suspect, and isn't a serial or pattern crime or doesn't involve a career criminal or repeat offender, or doesn't have other evidence which suggests the touch DNA evidence is probative. Should circumstances change in the case (i.e. it becomes part of a series of crimes or you develop a suspect), the case might then meet the minimum criteria for submission and could be submitted at that time.

What IS eligible for submission under this program? 

All required information is captured through the normal prelog process without any additional forms. The case synopsis should briefly describe the circumstances of the case, and how you believe the submitted evidence relates to those circumstances.  The following cases will be accepted:

  • Any case containing any evidence that is not touch DNA (i.e. other body fluids such as saliva or blood).
  • Any case where there is a known suspect and the suspect known DNA is submitted along with the evidence.
  • Any persons crime case (DNA submission guidelines for touch-type DNA must still be met)
  • Any case where the evidence is foreign to the scene or victim, touch DNA included (ex: clothing/burglary tools left at the scene). 

The DNA submission program targets touch-type DNA samples only. When preparing your evidence for submission, ask yourself these four questions:

1. Is my case a property crime with touch-type DNA samples only, AND:
Is a serial or pattern crime series, OR
Involves a career criminal or repeat offender, OR
Other evidence exists (video, eyewitness) that would lead you to believe the touch-type DNA evidence
submitted is probative?

If yes, your case may meet our submission criteria, provided required known and elimination DNA is submitted along with the other evidence. Please describe these circumstances in the brief case synopsis.

2. Does the evidence include touch-type DNA samples only from item(s) that belong to the victim(s), or could have reasonably been handled or touched by the victim?

If yes, a known DNA sample from the victim (elimination sample) must be submitted along with the other evidence.

3. Does the evidence include touch-type DNA samples only from drug evidence in a drug possession case?

If yes, a known DNA sample from the suspect must be submitted along with the other evidence.

4. Does the evidence include touch-type DNA samples only from firearms evidence in a felon in possession of a firearm case?

If yes, a known DNA sample from the suspect must be submitted along with the other evidence.

If evidence is not accepted by the JCSOCL property room, it will be returned along with a Status Letter stating the reason(s) why the evidence could not be accepted.

Please note that both elimination (victim) reference DNA and suspect reference DNA, whenever known, should always be submitted along with any other evidence. DNA samples collected at the jail of all arrestees are not accessible to the JCSOCL. An additional known sample must be submitted to us directly in order for us to compare known DNA to case evidence.