FDLE Expands Role of DNA in Crime Fighting

For Immediate Release July 25, 2012

Thanks to the expertise of analysts in the crime laboratories of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida’s police departments, sheriff’s offices and other crime fighting agencies throughout the state now have another way to link a suspect with the crime scene, using male-specific DNA testing.

Y-STR DNA testing has already played a role in the arrests of a violent rape suspect in Gainesville, and has provided evidence in a Tampa homicide.

“Our expanded ability to test the male chromosome will result in the resolution of cold cases and future cases,” stated FDLE Commissioner Gerald M. Bailey. “We are pleased with how this method of DNA testing is able to assist law enforcement by providing the latest developments in science and technology.” The Y-STR test targets the male Y chromosome. It ignores the female DNA and reveals only the male DNA. According to FDLE Forensic Services Director Vickie Gardner, the Y-STR testing is being performed in violent crime casework that has already had standard DNA testing attempted, and when the circumstances of the investigation would benefit from this male-specific DNA testing.

“Before this test,” explained Jacksonville FDLE Lab Supervisor Marcella ‘Marcie’ F. Scott, “where male and female DNA has been mixed, our analysts could not clearly differentiate and identify the male DNA. Now, with this test, we can!”

For Further Information Contact: Gretl Plessinger, Keith Kameg or Steve Arthur FDLE Office of Public Information (850) 410-7001

Or

Media: FDLE Chief of Forensic Sciences David Coffman is available to speak about the growing usefulness of DNA in criminal investigations (850-410-7710)

Please do not respond to this e-mail. For e-mail communications, please contact gretlplessinger@fdle.state.fl.us or keithkameg@fdle.state.fl.us

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