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Making a Difference

"They did an excellent job, they were thorough, professional, and knowledgeable. I must say that I was a little apprehensive about the audit, but it was a good experience with no downside."
(Assessments Program)

~Chris G. Andrist
Colorado Bureau of Investigation

Forensic DNA Education for Law Enforcement Decision Makers

Understanding the Benefits of Effective Use of DNA AnalysisFree forensic DNA evidence training website for law enforcement

Forensic DNA Education for Law Enforcement Decision Makers is a free, online forensic science training tool for law enforcement decision-makers on the policy and practice issues regarding the use of DNA analysis to investigate crimes. Targeted to senior-level law enforcement, this tool aims to educate users on the policy and practice issues associated with the effective use of DNA analysis and provide the knowledge to:

  • Streamline investigative processes
  • Implement best practices for handling “cold hits”
  • Identify the probative value of evidence and prioritize DNA evidence
  • More effectively leverage limited resources
  • Interact more efficiently with crime laboratories to set expectations and manage caseloads
  • Understand the time and resources required from the lab to test different categories of evidence

View the Forensic DNA Education for Law Enforcement Decision Makers online at http://projects.nfstc.org/fse/index.html.

Download the informational flyer here:

  Forensic DNA Education Informational Flyer (414.2 KiB, 210 hits)

Expert Analysis on the Impacts of DNAFree forensic DNA evidence training website for law enforcement

Content for Forensic DNA Education for Law Enforcement Decision Makers was developed by an expert panel convened by NFSTC based on nominations from  the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), National Governors Association (NGA), National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL),  and the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD).

This tool was developed to address:

  • The rising demand for DNA testing due to an increased awareness of the potential for DNA evidence to help solve cases
  • The resulting backlogs in forensic crime laboratories as DNA testing requests increase
  • The impact backlogs and demand for DNA is having on the criminal justice system
  • Increasing submissions for DNA analysis on evidence that is collected in criminal cases and how forensic crime laboratories are dealing with this
  • The expanded database laws that increase the number of convicted offender and arrestee database samples submitted

This project was supported by NIJ Award #2009-DN-BX-K223 awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice to the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC).