Rapid DNA and DNA Index of Special Concern (DISC)

In addition to searching CODIS, arrestees are searched against the DISC. The DISC contains complete crime scene profiles from unsolved homicides, sexual assaults, kidnappings, and terrorism incidents. DISC profiles can be searched in near real time during the booking process.

A match to a DISC profile will result in an immediate notification to the booking agency, arresting agency, and investigating agency. This technology allows law enforcement to receive investigative leads while an arrestee is still in custody, possibly preventing additional violent crimes.

Rapid DNA Uses

Booking Station Rapid DNA

After the passage of the Rapid DNA Act of 2017, the FBI worked with the Scientific Working Group for DNA Analysis Methods, the CJIS Advisory Policy Board Rapid DNA Task Force, and other stakeholders to develop:

• Standards for the Operation of Rapid DNA Booking Systems by Law Enforcement Booking Agencies
• Audit document for these standards
• National Rapid DNA Booking Operational Procedures Manual for the FBI approval and operation of the Rapid DNA devices in booking agencies.

Establishing Booking Station Rapid DNA

The FBI is working to help law enforcement use Rapid DNA technology in a way that maintains the quality, integrity, and public trust of our national DNA database to combat crime.

Rapid DNA booking device(s) approved for use at NDIS by a law enforcement booking station are:

• ANDE 6C Series G (effective February 1, 2021), v1.0.1 (effective October 21, 2022)
• RapidHIT™ ID DNA Booking System v1.0 (effective July 1, 2021), ​v1.1 (effective March 23, 2022), v1.1.2 (effective March 27, 2023)

Booking Station Rapid DNA Requirements and Approvals

NDIS approval of a Rapid DNA Booking Device does not include the approval of your compliance with the CJIS Security Policy, required by state and local information technology networks. A law enforcement booking agency must get this approval before using an NDIS-approved Rapid DNA booking device in a law enforcement booking agency.

For booking station submission of data profiles to be accepted into CODIS, the law enforcement agency must have:

• Automated fingerprint capture (Live Scan)
• Criminal history information integration
• Automated qualifying offense integration

Work with your state CODIS agency to ensure all requirements are met for participation in Booking Station Rapid DNA

Resources

• Guide to All Things Rapid DNA
• Rapid DNA Requirements
• Considerations for States Implementing Booking Station Rapid DNA
• Standards for the Operation of Rapid DNA Booking Systems by Law Enforcement Booking Agencies
• National Rapid DNA Booking Operational Procedures Manual
• CODIS Arrestee Enrollment Format
• CODIS Rapid Import Format

Rapid DNA in an Accredited DNA Laboratory

The following Rapid DNA Systems are approved for NDIS use by an accredited forensic DNA laboratory for eligible reference mouth swabs:

DNAscan 6C Rapid DNA Analysis System

Rapid DNA and Crime Scene Use

Crime Scene Limitations

Mouth swabs are ideal for Rapid DNA devices, as they contain large amounts of fresh DNA from one individual.

However, crime scene samples can present challenges for current Rapid DNA Technology because crime scene samples can vary widely, from age, exposure, and characteristics regarding the amount and quality of DNA. Most importantly, crime scene samples often contain mixtures of DNA from more than one person which requires interpretation by a trained scientist. For these reasons, all crime scene samples must be processed by an accredited forensic DNA Laboratory that follows the FBI Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories to be eligible for the CODIS system.

As outlined by leading forensic scientists, technology advancements are needed to bring Rapid DNA into compliance with the FBI Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) for Forensic DNA Testing.

The FBI hopes to expand Rapid DNA’s use in the future. In the meantime, the FBI continues to:

• Monitor advancements in Rapid DNA technology
• Work with federal, state, and local agencies to promote responsible use of Rapid DNA
• Collaborate with industry to help advance this technology

Future Vision for Rapid DNA

When the enhanced Rapid DNA technology becomes available and is thoroughly tested, the FBI envisions Rapid DNA programs will be available for crime scene DNA samples and CODIS use under the accreditation umbrella of a CODIS-participating laboratory. This will provide the quality structure needed to:

• Increase the number of trained technicians available via remote processing, adding laboratory capacity
• Address the need for qualified DNA analyst data review for challenging crime scene samples
• Provide ability to search crime scene Rapid DNA profiles in CODIS