Coroner asks committee to approve MVAC DNA collection system to boost in-house forensic capacity

Coroner Dr. Silva told the Kane County Judicial & Public Safety Committee on June 11 that the county’s forensic laboratory needs an MVAC forensic DNA collection system to allow in-house DNA extraction from items such as carpets and degraded clothing.

"The MVAC is specifically created for forensics ... you use sterile tubing, use a sterile collection unit, use sterile filter paper," forensic lab specialist Sarah explained, describing a process in which a sterile solution is sprayed and vacuumed up, concentrated onto filter paper, dried and then used to generate a DNA profile.

Dr. Silva and the committee cited a 1979 cold case resolved with MVAC technology and the county’s prior need to send evidence to distant labs. Committee members discussed the device’s estimated cost and usage frequency, the potential to rent the instrument to neighboring agencies, and grant reimbursement. Officials noted the county has $963,000 in federal funding earmarked for DNA equipment and related instruments; the MVAC purchase is one of several authorized uses of that grant.

Vote: The committee approved the coroner’s resolution to acquire the MVAC and forwarded the item to the executive committee.