Rapid DNA technology developed by the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is helping multiple states identify human remains and reunite those remains with their families and has recently been used in several mass casualty exercises across the nation. The technology greatly expedites the testing of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the only biometric that can accurately verify family relationships. With results available in 90 minutes or less, S&T’s Rapid DNA technology can be used on the scene of mass fatality events, in refugee camps around the world, or at immigration offices.
Originally developed in partnership with the Department of Justice and the Department of Defense, S&T commercialized the technology in 2015 and is now actively working to transition it to other DHS components, including Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and other federal, state, and local government organizations, for use in immigration, prevention of human trafficking, reunification of family members following mass casualties, and in support of DHS law enforcement investigations.
Join the conversation by following S&T's Facebook account. On Tuesday, June 27, at 1 p.m. ET, we will have a Facebook Live video chat that will allow viewers to "talk" with Chris Miles, S&T’s Rapid DNA Program Manager, and Melanie Glass, CBP Laboratories and Scientific Services Directorate. Participants will learn more about the technology, how it works, who’s using it and how DHS components like CBP and others are using the technology to make our nation safer and bring closure to families.