Reports
This report is a summary of a roundtable in which key stakeholders came together to explore innovative and victim-centered approaches to eliminating the backlog of rape kits in state and local jurisdictions and crime laboratories.
Handbook from the Technical Working Group on Biological Evidence Preservation concerning handling, packaging, storing and disposal of biological evidence, as well as chain of custody issues.
Summary fact sheet of the DNA Field Experiment that compared burglary investigations that used only traditional police practices to burglary investigations in which DNA evidence was also collected and analyzed.
This report from the National Institute of Justice examines the progress made at state and local levels to reduce DNA backlogs. The report includes a discussion of the conflicting definitions of what is a backlogged case, as well as looking at the two types of backlogs, DNA samples from active criminal investigations and DNA samples taken from convicted offenders, and the reasons why backlogs are increase despite increased Federal funding.
This report details a National Institute of Justice study evaluating the expansion of DNA evidence collection and testing to the investigation of property crimes.
February 2010 OLR Research Report on state and local laboratory turnaround times for various forensic tests, including DNA, in the 50 states.
Helpful Links
Federally funded resource that includes information on justice-related topics including publications on DNA.
Written materials on scientific advancements, case law, and legislation for prosecutors.
Web site includes information for SANEs and other medical personnel about SANE training, certification, and best practices. Resources related to Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Protocol of 2004, elder abuse and neglect, and nurses’ role in primary prevention of sexual assault.
Web site created by Rob and Debbie Smith includes information on the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Act, Debbie’s story, H-E-A-R-T’s mission, and contact information for the foundation.
Web site created by Jayann and David Sepich provides information about the value of forensic DNA and arrestee DNA testing laws.
Media and legislative information concerning forensic DNA. Sign up for periodic DNA e-mail reports.