FBI Approves Forensic DNA Technology for National Index System
Verogen, Inc. says the FBI has approved the company’s forensic DNA technology for use by forensic laboratories generating DNA profiles for upload to the National DNA Index System (NDIS). The system is managed by the FBI to compare eligible DNA profiles contributed by participating federal, state and local laboratories. The company’s technology uses “next-generation sequencing” to increase profiling efficiency and data recovery from biological evidence. “NGS enables us to efficiently generate more comprehensive and useful data,” says Dr. Jenifer Smith, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Department of Forensic Sciences. “This means we will be able to aid more investigations and close more cases.” Verogen says its MiSEQ FGx Forensic Genomics System allows forensic scientists to analyze up to 231 genomic DNA markers simultaneously. It also says its system can develop more detailed profiles from degraded, mixed and limited biological samples, addressing a wider range of forensic questions in a single test.