The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is pilot testing in Florida its system for matching DNA samples from felony suspects with a national database of DNA collected from unsolved crimes, UPI reports today.
Called Rapid DNA, the system can return results within two hours and has been under development by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for nearly 10 years, it said. Unlike Rapid DNA tests used by other states, the Florida program is the first to be directly connected to the FBI's national DNA database, FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen is quoted as saying.
"There is no question that DNA testing has made Florida safer, and the use of Rapid DNA will ensure suspects aren't released from jail before DNA search results come back," Swearingen said.
UPI notes that California, Texas, Arizona, and Louisiana are also part of the Rapid DNA program, and that 30 states in total require the collection and testing of DNA samples upon felony arrest. Other states require DNA testing only upon conviction, it added.