Crime Laboratory Backlog Status
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DNA Scientific Services
DNA Casework
The Scientific Analysis Bureau provides serology and forensic DNA analysis using the most modern DNA scientific services for the examination of crime evidence to identify or exonerate individuals. Forensic DNA analysis involves testing of biological samples left at a scene to determine a DNA profile which can then be compared to the known profile of an individual or entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a national database of DNA profiles, to search for a potential match. DNA analysis is offered at the Central, Southern and Northern laboratories.
Case Acceptance Guidelines
All cases submitted for DNA analysis require the DNA Supplemental Form to be filled out. The information is needed to determine CODIS eligibility and allow the lab to triage (focus on) the most crucial evidence for every case and provide a quicker turnaround time for all customers.
Permission to consume samples for testing is considered granted at the time of submission. While every effort will be made to preserve samples for future testing, consumption will occur at the discretion of the analyst. For cases involving death or attempted homicide, permission to consume will only be requested if a suspect is named at the time of submission.
TYPES OF EVIDENCE
Trace/Touch/Contact DNA Evidence
Trace/Touch/Contact DNA Evidence must only include:
- Items that are foreign to the crime scene, i.e., presumably left behind by the perpetrators
- Steering wheel and gearshift swabs from stolen vehicles when foreign items are not present/available.
Elimination standards from all victims/owners/residents/drivers must be obtained and submitted with the evidence.
***Swabs of surfaces or items of evidence which are routinely touched/handled by multiple individuals will not be processed for DNA.
- Gloves and a surgical mask should be worn while collecting any touch-DNA evidence.
- To collect, swab the evidence with a single cotton swab that has been slightly moistened with one or two drops of water. Allow the swab to air dry or place in a swab box for drying. NOTE: Double-tipped swabs and Q-tips should not be used.
Violent Crimes
Violent Crimes involve a violent incident that results in injury (bleeding) or death. For initial evidence submissions of Violent Crimes cases, the lab will process up to 5 items of evidence per case (plus any known standards). Should more than 5 items be required for any case (complex scene, multiple victims/assailants, etc.), please contact the laboratory to discuss the case prior to submitting.
Sexual Assaults
Sexual Assaults often include a Sex Assault Kit (SAK) collected by medical personnel and this should always be the first evidence submitted. Once the SAK has been processed, additional items of evidence may be processed as needed. If no SAK was collected, initial evidence submission should be up to 5 items of evidence.
Property Crimes
Property Crimes involve an incident of stolen, damaged property, etc. or non-injury related persons crimes (e.g., armed robbery). For initial evidence submissions of Property Crimes cases, the lab will process 1 item of evidence per suspect in a case (plus any known standards).
Known Standards
Known standards are needed for all cases requiring DNA analysis. Known standards are also commonly referred to as a DNA reference samples, elimination samples, buccal swabs, and blood blots. A known standard should be collected from everyone involved in a crime, including victims and anyone who may have deposited DNA on the evidence. Suspects believed to already be in CODIS are still required to have a known standard collected and submitted to the laboratory for comparison purposes.
Bones
Bone samples are only accepted if they are part of a homicide or a suspicious death investigation. For missing persons and unidentified human remains, you can reach out to NamUs. The website link is DNA | NamUs (ojp.gov). For regional contact information, visit Investigative Support | NamUs (ojp.gov).
Hair
Hair samples are no longer pre-screened to determine if they are human or if they have adequate root material present for DNA testing. Although DNA testing is possible, other options are available, including private laboratory testing. Please contact the DPS Crime Lab for more information.
Spent Cartridge Casings
The DPS Crime Lab cannot perform both DNA and Latent Print analysis on spent cartridge casings. A choice will be needed at the time of submission.
If casings need to be swabbed prior to NIBIN or firearms analysis, please:
- Never use more than one wet swab to swab a single casing
- Use the least number of swabs to swab a group of same caliber casings together (1-2 swabs total, if possible)
- Casings from different crime scenes or different areas of a large scene should not be swabbed together
- Any casings with apparent blood should not be swabbed as part of a group
If you are not comfortable swabbing, please submit the casings to the lab and provide information about the caliber of the casings, the location found, or contact DPS Crime Lab.
- Package casings in a manner to prevent as much movement as possible (small or folded envelope)
Definitions
Trace DNA – also commonly referred to as touch or contact DNA, is widely believed to be the DNA from skin cells left behind when someone touches an object or individual. However, studies have shown DNA can also be left on an object in a variety of unintentional ways including coughing, sneezing, or even talking near an object. Likewise, the absence of DNA on an object is not evidence that it was not handled or possessed. As a result, DNA testing is not appropriate for certain types of evidence.
Buccal Swabs – (Pronounced “buckle”) swab(s) collected from the inner cheek of the mouth to use as a known DNA sample. Any swabs collected other than from the inner cheek are not buccal swabs. Do not use convicted offender and arrestee kits for casework submissions. DNA profiles from offender and arrestee submissions cannot be used for casework comparisons.
Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) – A national database operated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that stores the DNA profiles of missing persons, individuals convicted of crimes and forensic samples collected from crime scenes. For a DNA profile to be entered it must have originated from the scene of the crime and must be attributable to a perpetrator. No names or identification information is stored in CODIS, and DNA profiles cannot be referenced for comparison. However, since new DNA profiles are constantly being entered, the database is searched daily for new matches.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) – The genetic material found in various body tissues (muscle, fetal tissue, skin, etc.) and body fluids (semen, blood, saliva, etc.). Because an individual’s DNA is the same throughout the body and different from individual-to-individual, it can be used to determine whether a biological substance may have been deposited by a specific individual.
STR DNA Analysis – STR DNA analysis is the most widely used method in crime laboratories and the results are unique to every individual (except for identical siblings). STR (Short Tandem Repeat) testing targets and copies specific locations in the DNA molecule. This testing can be performed to identify not only the gender of the biological material source but also generate a genetic profile which provides the ability to distinguish between two individuals with a considerable degree of confidence.
Y-STR DNA – Male specific DNA found in the nucleus of most cells of the body. Y-STR analysis is used to copy locations on the Y chromosome and Y-STR data can only be obtained from male individuals. This type of DNA is inherited paternally. This type of testing may be useful when samples are mixtures of male and female DNA or when there is very little DNA from a male contributor. Y-STR testing has its limitations since close male relatives will have the same Y-STR profile.
Training and Additional Information
DNA Evidence Collection Class - for available dates, see Eventbrite link below
Eventbrite Link to sign up for DNA Evidence Collection Classes for 2023
Forms
Manuals
DNA Database
The Combined DNA Index System is the DNA database utilized in the United States. Created and maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, it involves various levels of databases at local, state and national levels which allow searching of unknown DNA profiles against other unknown forensic profiles, convicted offender profiles, and arrestee profiles. 
The Scientific Analysis Bureau serves as the State Combined DNA Index System (SDIS) Database for Arizona and uploads an average of approximately 20,000 convicted offender and arrestee samples into CODIS each year. This analysis is provided at the Central laboratory.
Manuals
DNA Familial
Familial DNA analysis is a deliberate search of convicted offender and arrestee DNA profiles to identify candidates who are potential close biological relatives to an unknown DNA profile. A statistical comparison is completed to accomplish this, providing analysts with a list of candidates for further analysis who have a higher statistical likelihood of being relatives of the unknown profile. Once this additional analysis is complete, investigators are provided with a list of
any remaining candidates for further investigation.
The Scientific Analysis Bureau provides familial DNA analysis in select cases at the Central laboratory. Arizona is the twelfth state to offer this type of testing.
