New DNA tool OK in trial

A top New York state judge will allow the use of new computer-assisted DNA technology in the murder trial of a career criminal.

 

Proposal to restore criminal DNA testing in California

A bill has been introduced that will fix unintended consequences of Proposition 47, the measure passed by voters that reduces certain crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.

 

Backlog kills bill expanding Vermont state criminal DNA testing

A bill was tabled that would increase the scope of the state's criminal DNA collection because of a backlog in processing existing samples.

 

Proposed crime lab a 'luxury item' in Cincinnati

Funding for a new crime lab became a hot-button issue in Cincinnati, after the Democratic Party chairman called republican opposition "ridiculous".

 

Oklahoma House committee approves DNA sample bill

The number of DNA samples collected by Oklahoma for the state's database could increase by 10,000 per year under a bill approved by a state House committee.

 

A change in Texas's DNA testing law

An amendment to a bill allowing post-conviction DNA testing has proven to be flawed based on a ruling in the case of one convicted man seeking DNA testing.

 

Louisiana's backlog of rape kits includes dozens at Children's Hospital

The backlog of pediatric kits surprises state senator.

 

FBI updates DNA QA standards to now include Rapid DNA analysis

The FBI is advancing policies on RapidDNA which will ultimately makes communities safer.

 

Cleveland judge enforces state DNA collection law in felony arrests

People arrested for felony crimes in Cleveland will be swabbed for DNA - or sit in jail.

 

'Beatrice Six' defendant testifies in favor of bill broadening Nebraska's DNA-testing law

Wrongly convicted woman testified in favor of Legislative Bill 245, which would make it easier for convicted people to seek DNA testing of crime scene evidence.

 

$75,000 in private donations collected for Detroit rape kit testing in three weeks

A public-private partnership looks to raise $10 million over the next three years, with the goal of creating a rape-kit cold case team.

 

More than 800 untested rape kits in Amarillo, TX

In Amarillo, a small city compared to Dallas or Houston, there's a disproportionately high number of untested rape kits.

 

NIST recommends that all forensic science service providers become accredited

The National Academy of Sciences makes 13 recommendations to move towards best practices, standardization and improving the quality of forensic science services.