DNA backlog rises at FBI laboratory

By Julie Vorman

As any armchair detective knows, a DNA sample is often the key evidence that convicts a murderer by the end of a 60-minute TV crime show. Bu

Excerpts from this story referencing "DNA":

"… properly account for hurricane aid (OIG) …"

"… fe, it would take two years to clear the growing backlog of 3,211 forensic DNA cases at the Federal Bureau of Investigation's laboratory.The FBI lab is s …"

"… tigation's laboratory.The FBI lab is struggling to keep up with demand for DNA analysis from law enforcement agencies around the country, according to a …"

"… law enforcement agencies around the country, according to a review of the DNA backlog by the Justice Department’s inspector general. It found the FBI …"

Hake hoax in Spanish markets

By Mar Cabra, Marcos Garcia Rey and Kate Willson

The fish we buy is not always what the label says. Consumers are cheated in Spain and around the world.

Excerpts from this story referencing "DNA":

"… er from the Pacific Ocean — are sold as hake in markets across Madrid. A DNA study commissioned by the International Consortium of Investigative Journa …"

"… empts to fool consumers,” said the European Commission’s top fisheries DNA expert Jann Th. Martinsohn, who reviewed ICIJ’s methodology and findings …"

"… from ship to shop. But the law doesn’t require that inspectors implement DNA testing to verify accurate labeling.“The majority [of mislabeling] is co …"

"… The majority [of mislabeling] is commercial fraud,” said Ricardo Pérez, DNA expert and investigator of the Spanish National Research Council. “In re …"

Hake DNA testing: How we did it

The scientific specifics of ICIJ's DNA analysis of popular Spanish fish Hake

Excerpts from this story referencing "DNA":

"… hake. Based on allegations of fraud in the hake market, ICIJ carried out a DNA study on hake in the Spanish market.Last year a team of Spanish and Greek …"

"… mine the extent of mislabeling in the fresh and frozen hake markets.  DNA experts told ICIJ our methodology was sound and simple. Geneticist Einar N …"

"… xclude any possible contamination of vials and materials.The extraction of DNA was performed employing a protocol based on resin Chelex. A fragment of ea …"

"… were kept at 100ºC for 20 minutes for deactivating the proteinase K. The DNA remains diluted in the supernatant, which is employed for further reaction …"

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Calif. budget cuts could cause 'public safety emergency'

By Ben Protess and Emily Witt

State crime lab cuts would halt or delay DNA testing from rape and crime scenes

Excerpts from this story referencing "DNA":

"… the lab's budget and would likely halt or delay the testing of rape kits, DNA and other crucial crime scene evidence in many counties, law enforcement o …"

"… ested evidence in about 50,000 cases, including more than 1,400 containing DNA.Advocates for crime victims are urging lawmakers to reject the proposal, b …"

"… ab's bureau chief.The agencies also could be forced to shelve thousands of DNA samples, bullet casings and other pieces of evidence used to identify viol …"

"… ntify violent criminals. There are already more than 350,000 untested DNA samples nationwide, according to federal government statistics.Ultimately, …"

California crime lab escapes budget cuts

By Ben Protess and Emily Witt

One key crime-fighting agency has emerged from the state's recent budget slashing unscathed

Excerpts from this story referencing "DNA":

"… illion cut to the lab would likely halt or delay the testing of rape kits, DNA and other crucial crime scene evidence in many California counties. Advoca …"

"… usly reported, the lab already has one of the largest backlogs of untested DNA evidence in any state lab. It hasn't tested more than 150 DNA samples from …"

"… of untested DNA evidence in any state lab. It hasn't tested more than 150 DNA samples from crime scenes and 60,000 from people arrested or convicted of …"

DNA testing of detained immigrants easier said than done

By Ben Protess and Emily Witt

Out of 55K kits offered to test arrested or detained immigrants, only 697 have been used in seven months

Excerpts from this story referencing "DNA":

"… overnment gave final approval to a controversial plan to collect DNA samples from undocumented immigrants, the program has yet to launch.As of …"

"… -June, the FBI had given federal agencies more than 55,000 kits to collect DNA from people arrested or detained, an FBI spokeswoman said in an interview. …"

"… ned, an FBI spokeswoman said in an interview. The FBI lab had received 697 DNA samples in return, but all of them were from people arrested in criminal c …"

"… division of Homeland Security, said the agency isn't currently collecting DNA from detained immigrants. Two ICE officials told us they weren't even awar …"