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DNA could solve burglaries if crime labs were bigger, better, more trustworthy

DNA evidence is still mostly used in violent crimes, and even for that purpose crime labs have large backlogs. San Antonio, for example, has more than 5,000 untested rape kits in storage regarding unsolved sexual assaults. But DNA potentially could be used in many other types of offenses. Indeed, with the development of tests to match so-called "touch DNA" means you don't even need blood, hair or other more traditional types of biological evidence.In today's Houston Chronicle, James Pinkerton has a story ("DNA not just for homicides anymore," Dec. 7) explaining that resource shortages prevent Houston PD from using DNA to solve burglaries and other nonviolent offenses, despite success with the tactic in other jurisdictions. The article opens:A cigarette butt caught the attention of Denver detectives investigating the burglary at the home of non-smokers, and the police crime lab quickly matched DNA from saliva to a prolific husband-and-wife crime team...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on December 07, 2009 (boomark / email).