HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania State Police have deployed 15 fully automated rapid DNA analyzers to troops statewide, a move the agency says will let investigators generate actionable genetic leads in a fraction of the time required by traditional lab testing.
Rapid DNA technology processes collected samples on site and can return results in as little as 90 minutes. In its first week of use, troopers obtained a blood sample from an ATM-tampering scene and, within two hours, received a database match that identified an investigative lead, according to the department.
“This program represents significant advancements in our forensic capabilities,” Colonel Christopher Paris, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, said. “Rapid DNA analysis can expedite the development of investigative leads, assist in suspect identification, and help exclude individuals with greater speed. Aside from investigative efficiency, this technology provides accuracy, fairness, and better outcomes for the communities we serve.”
Only members of the agency’s Forensic Service Units who complete required training are authorized to operate the devices; laboratory personnel verify all matches. PSP said it follows all state and federal DNA-collection and privacy guidelines.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has backed the rollout as part of a broader plan to equip and expand state law enforcement. Shapiro’s fiscal-year 2025-26 budget proposal would remove the statutory cap on PSP staffing and allocate $16 million for four cadet classes to train nearly 400 additional troopers.
State police leaders said the rapid DNA program aligns with those priorities by shortening case timelines, improving clearance rates and strengthening public trust.
The suspect was fleeing from a Fountain Valley officer when he encountered another officer seated in her cruiser; he wrestled her gun away and got into the cruiser
“This is going to help us deliver effective and efficient public safety but it’s going to also make conditions better for our [LEOs],” said Birmingham City Council President Darrell O’Quinn
“To assess whether an officer acted reasonably in using force, a court must consider all … facts and events leading up to the climactic moment,” the majority opinion stated
“It’s a community policing effort where we introduce ourselves, through these cards, to whoever we can hand them out to,” Wilkes-Barre Police Chief Joseph Coffay said
Samsung’s Tactical Edition portfolio expands with its first-ever mission-ready tablet to deliver greater situational awareness and decision-making capabilities
The advanced mobile command solutions, delivered through Atlantic Emergency Solutions, enhance emergency response, intelligence gathering, and crisis negotiation capabilities
Police1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.
