The process of criminal investigations in Hudson County has been significantly altered with the introduction of an in-house DNA testing laboratory. This occurs as part of a strategic initiative that took four years to shape and was put into action on a recent Friday. The creation of this specialized lab, the second in the state, is seen as a crucial development for the county’s leading law enforcement entity.
The Prosecutor who championed the lab project highlighted its importance for the organization. The initiative began taking shape when construction for the new Prosecutor’s Office premises in Secaucus started. Previously, all DNA samples collected from crime scenes were sent for testing to an external facility – the New Jersey State Police lab located in Hamilton.
Now, the new model allows the Prosecutor’s Office to manage the DNA examination process internally. A dedicated team of three experts have been vested with the responsibility to examine and analyze all DNA samples collected during investigations. This significant change will eliminate the protracted wait periods that were common with the previous procedures, which were even encountered in urgent, severe criminal cases.
In 2022, the Prosecutor’s Office relocated to the newly built facility. However, the construction of the DNA lab took slightly longer than anticipated. The delay wasn’t due to a lack of effort or initiative from the DNA Laboratory Director. Quite the contrary, he exhibited a highly proactive approach towards the project.
Despite the uniqueness of the project, it was a task that the team was successful in executing. The effort was a testament to the partnership between the Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. It was essentially the latter’s guidance and expertise, as they had previously established a DNA testing center – the first in the state, that was instrumental in helping the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office set up their lab.
A notable point was their collective lack of experience in the creation of such a specialized laboratory. But, proactive collaboration and the use of contractors with notable expertise helped overcome this challenge. The state police were invaluable in their support and input during the development process. Furthermore, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office played a major role in advising the team and ensuring necessary logistics were in place.
Interestingly, the creation of the DNA lab was not a standalone task. It was a part of a detailed expansion plan that was drafted when the new facility was being constructed. Other focal points included developing a child advocacy center and a specialized unit to tackle cybercrimes.
The laboratory staff throughout the project reiterated that the primary advantage of the in-house DNA lab would be the substantially shorter wait periods for test results. This would vastly improve the efficacy and speed of ongoing investigations. Hypothetically, it could bring down the earlier wait time from several months to merely a few days.
To put it into perspective, the availability of rapid DNA testing could help identify suspects of violent crimes within days, as opposed to months. Not only would this help expedite the progress of investigations, but it would also lead to valuable clues that could otherwise be overlooked or delayed due to longer processing periods.
Moreover, the DNA Lab Director emphasized the integral nature of DNA testing in investigations. It not only aids authorities in identifying potential suspects but also allows them to confidently exclude individuals from suspicion. This form of elimination is vital when it comes to focusing on potential leads.
The director explained that his passion for forensic DNA analysis and its implementation in solving criminal cases was a dream that he has nurtured since his undergraduate days. His educational background and his years of experience at Weil Cornell Medical College as a licensed clinical molecular technologist provided him with the necessary skills and experience to achieve this goal.
His inspiration came from a lecture he attended on forensic DNA analysis during his time at Cornell. This sparked an interest in him to utilize DNA as a tool to solve crime-related mysteries and embarked on a journey to realize this vision.
Crime scene investigators collect various biologic samples such as blood, semen, or saliva that may contain the DNA of potential suspects. In addition, they also collect objects that may have been touched by the perpetrator, such as weapons or clothing items. Each individual’s DNA is unique, barring identical twins, making DNA an infallible part of forensic investigation.
Upon collection, the samples undergo a series of laboratory tests where DNA is extracted and transformed into a liquid form. This liquid is then used to create a visual representation in the form of a graph, which analysts use to construct a DNA profile. These profiles can be cross-referenced against other individuals, or against the national CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) which is managed at state and national levels.