Commission endorses purchase of rapid DNA machines to speed local investigations

County leaders recommended buying four rapid DNA instruments to expand local forensic capacity and speed investigations.

Deputy Chief of Staff Dana Wilson told the committee the devices are roughly the size of a desktop printer and can process evidence in about 90 minutes. "These instruments will be accessible to a designated pool of trained investigators from all municipal police forces," Wilson said, adding samples processed locally would later be able to run through the TBI statewide rapid-DNA profile system using DNA Connect when it goes online.

Wilson said the county aims to purchase and position the machines by the end of August and to have the systems operational by October, noting the FBI approved this rapid-DNA forensics tool in July. Commissioners asked whether the program duplicates Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) work; Wilson said the county's capability is "complimentary" and that Shelby County will be a partner in the statewide system.

Supporters said rapid DNA can accelerate investigations, help exclude suspects and assist in victim identification and kinship checks in human-trafficking and mass-casualty scenarios. The committee forwarded the resolution with a favorable recommendation and asked staff to finalize implementation plans and training timelines.