FBI re-evaluating outsourcing of forensic DNA testing to private labs, Orchid Cellmark praises decision

Apr 12 2010

Orchid Cellmark Inc. (Nasdaq:ORCH), a leading international provider of identity DNA testing services, today praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) announcement that it will re-evaluate the requirements for outsourcing forensic DNA testing to private laboratories.

Current FBI quality assurance policies call for public labs to review 100% of private lab forensic DNA work before the results are uploaded into the National DNA Index System (NDIS). "These policies have historically been a barrier for public labs to use private labs because of the resource intensive nature of the technical review process," said Thomas A. Bologna, president and chief executive officer of Orchid Cellmark. "Eliminating this burden would greatly enhance the efficiency of public-private partnerships for DNA testing. It would also provide a tremendous opportunity to not only cost-effectively eliminate the current DNA testing backlog but also maintain zero backlog going forward as has been achieved in the United Kingdom, where changes to the rules governing public-private partnerships for DNA testing have already enabled significant efficiencies."

On March 23, the FBI stated that it "is currently re-evaluating existing policies, standards, and protocols, including requirements for outsourcing DNA analysis to private laboratories and review of their results by public law enforcement laboratories." The FBI's release went on to add that "private laboratories continue to be an integral part of the process and share in the success of the NDIS."

Mr. Bologna continued, "We believe that any policy change that improves the efficiency of DNA testing will be particularly important in light of President Obama's recent commitment to support DNA testing of arrestees in all fifty states as stated in his March 6 interview with John Walsh, for America's Most Wanted 1000^th episode." President Obama, in referring to DNA testing for arrestees, stated, "The DNA portion of it is something that I hope to see in my lifetime, that every one of the states have DNA compliance...That's how we make sure that we continue to tighten the grip around folks who have perpetrated these crimes."

President Obama acknowledged that state government financial concerns have slowed the adoption of DNA testing and that "the states are afraid that they're going to be stuck with the bill if they become compliant." President Obama pledged increased federal resources to help the states saying, "We also want to provide some support for things like DNA testing at the state levels -- a lot of these local law enforcement officials are just strapped for some of the basic resources -- getting the databases set up. Those are all areas where I think we can provide a lot of help."

"While there is no longer debate as to the effectiveness of DNA in crime fighting and prevention, the economic challenges the States face have become a limiting factor in their implementation of necessary programs and backlog reduction," explained Mr. Bologna. "We believe the FBI announcement that it is re-evaluating policies that serve to create inefficiencies in public-private partnerships for DNA testing, coupled with President Obama's support for expanded DNA testing as expressed in his television interview on America's Most Wanted, are significant steps towards providing the needed resources to eliminate the backlog of DNA testing in the States and finally fully maximize the use of forensic DNA testing as a tool to solve crimes in this country," Mr. Bologna concluded.