IntegenX Applauds The Passage Of The Rapid DNA Act Of 2017

Amendment of the DNA Identification Act of 1994 is a substantial step forward in making real-time DNA testing of arrestees in the booking environment a reality

PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IntegenX Inc., the global market leader for Rapid DNA human identification, applauds the signing into law of S.139 and HR.510, The Rapid DNA Act of 2017. The legislation will allow law enforcement agencies, under standards and guidelines established by the FBI, to perform real-time DNA testing at time of arrest, within booking stations.

“I believe that this Act will help free up crime laboratory resources, allowing them to be more focused on the testing of backlogged rape kits, a problem that together with Congress, we have been working on for the past 15 years.”

Similar to how fingerprint analysis has evolved from a paper and ink practice to a point-of-action technology, DNA testing has now become possible in 90 minutes within a booking station, while a suspect is still in custody. With processing times reduced from weeks to less than two hours, the potential to identify or exonerate a suspect quickly will make a meaningful impact on law enforcement.

IntegenX thanks U.S. Senate sponsor Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and lead co-sponsor Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) as well as House sponsor Congressman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and lead co-sponsor Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA), along with the other 12 Senate and 24 House co-sponsors for their support.

“Today marks a landmark day in more efficiently fighting crime and supporting law enforcement,” stated Robert Schueren, President and CEO of IntegenX. “IntegenX products have already enabled numerous DNA profile uploads to our nation’s DNA database (CODIS). We look forward to the updated FBI guidelines, and subsequent CODIS uploads from the booking environment.”

“Rapid DNA is a promising new technology and an effective tool for law enforcement – I’m thrilled to be seeing it signed into law. This technology will help quickly identify arrestees and offenders, reduce the overwhelming backlog in forensic DNA analysis, and make crime fighting more efficient while helping to prevent future crimes from occurring. It will also save time and taxpayer dollars,” commented Congressman Sensenbrenner, Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Oversight.

“This bill will help law enforcement agencies solve crimes faster and help those wrongfully accused to be exonerated from crimes they did not commit—almost instantly. The Rapid DNA Act updates the statutory framework in how DNA samples are entered into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System by allowing the use of this remarkable Rapid DNA technology,” stated Senator Hatch.

“I’m glad we were able to reach bipartisan consensus to enact this law. This new law will help law enforcement agencies across the nation use a faster and more powerful tool to protect and serve our communities, and to attain justice for victims,” said Congressman Swalwell (D-CA).

“I applaud the passage of the Rapid DNA Act by the U.S. Congress. This update to current DNA law, enabling use of Rapid DNA analysis by our local law enforcement officials, is a tremendous victory for our communities, bringing swift justice to survivors of sexual assault and helping to prevent assaults by repeat offenders,” said Debbie Smith, founder of H-E-A-R-T, Inc. (Hope Exists After Rape Trauma). “I believe that this Act will help free up crime laboratory resources, allowing them to be more focused on the testing of backlogged rape kits, a problem that together with Congress, we have been working on for the past 15 years.”

“We’re very excited to see the passage of the Rapid DNA Act of 2017,” said Mai Fernandez, Executive Director of National Center for Victims of Crime. “Having results for DNA tests while suspects are still in custody should further contribute to the safety of our communities, and ultimately potentially reduce rape kit backlog.”

To further facilitate the adoption and validation of Rapid DNA technology by state forensic laboratories conducting arrestee testing, IntegenX is announcing the “Act in 2017” program, providing state forensic laboratories with cost-effective introductory pricing of the RapidHIT ID System and RapidLINK software. The RapidHIT ID system’s pivotal development validation study was recently published in the prestigious Forensic Science International: Genetics http://www.fsigenetics.com/article/S1872-4973(17)30005-4/pdf

About IntegenX

IntegenX Inc. is the market leader of Rapid Human DNA identification technology. IntegenX technology platforms integrate advanced fluidics, optics, and biochemistry capabilities, along with cutting edge software, to produce sample-to-answer products for DNA-based human identity testing for forensics and law enforcement applications. For more information, please visit www.integenx.com. IntegenX, the IntegenX logo, RapidHIT, and RapidLINK are the registered trademarks of IntegenX Inc.