title: Operating and managing a statewide DNA program.
abstract: The success of the Virginia Division of Forensic Science's DNA program is based upon managing the DNA program from a central location, consistency in the methods and procedures used, cooperation and continual dedication of the laboratory staff, as well as overseeing of all technical issues by a single technical leader. To streamline the analysis of the evidence samples, the most probative items of evidence are examined first for biological materials. Once biological materials are identified, DNA analysis is performed and the resulting foreign short tandem repeat profile is entered into the Combined DNA Index Systems for routine searching of the profile against Virginia's and the nation's convicted offender DNA Data Banks. In addition, the foreign profile is also searched against other foreign profiles obtained from previously analyzed evidence samples, thereby helping the law enforcement agencies in Virginia solve crimes that would otherwise go unsolved.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Division of Forensic Science, 700 North Fifth Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, USA. Jban@dfs.state.va.us
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ban
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D004247:DNA