Topic: DHS investigators to use DNA testing to identify suspects and family... (Read 382 times)

...relationships


http://www.gsnmagazine.com/node/38864?c=access_control_identification

The Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) unit of DHS is gathering information from prospective vendors who could perform deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests on samples collected from various individuals to help the agency identify family relationships, criminal suspects and more.

HSI issued a Request for Information (RFI) on November 8 that asks potential contractors to describe their technical capabilities in no more than 20 pages and to submit their responses by December 11.

“Homeland Security Investigations is comprised of Special Agents and support staff who need a better, more accurate and cost-effective way to identify individuals when fingerprints are not available or when a claim of family relationship needs to be proven,” says the RFI. “This need is also needed during criminal investigations where evidence is found and DNA is needed from the evidence.”

As part of the information that prospective vendors are asked to submit, HSI asks whether the candidates have supported criminal investigations in the past. “Have you testified in criminal proceedings, etc?,” the notice asks.

The RFI also asks about the security procedures that the would-be contractor has executed in the past. “Describe your chain of custody for storing DNA and other evidence used in criminal investigations,” instructs the RFI. “What sorts of security measures do you employ to keep evidence/findings safely secured?”