DNA samples reveal suspects in 13 unsolved crimesPolice partnership with Marshall University pays off By Glenn Smith (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A burglary at a West Ashley Chinese restaurant. A smash-and-grab theft from a car parked outside a downtown church. A trailer break-in that netted a thief two computers from a Neck area business. Random property crimes that left police with little evidence to go on. Little, perhaps, but just enough to find the culprits thanks to a novel new DNA analysis program. Charleston police and three other area law enforcement agencies have partnered with Marshall University Forensic Science Center in West Virginia to use genetic evidence to solve property crimes. Last month, the initiative produced its first arrest when blood from a burglary scene was matched to a man suspected of the crime. In recent days, authorities received more good news: The first batch of samples sent to Marshall has helped identify suspects in another 13 unsolved burglaries and auto break-ins, said Judy Gordon, director of the Charleston police forensic services division. In addition, DNA evidence established a link between two other crimes, though the suspect has not been identified, she said. "We're really excited to get off to such a good start, and we're hoping for continued success," Gordon said. Marshall is already working on a second batch of samples from the Charleston area, and the results are expected soon, Gordon said. Many state crime labs are too overburdened testing evidence from homicides, rapes and other violent offenses to bother with property crimes. The federally funded program at Marshall is an attempt to provide some help in that area. Police focused on cases in which criminals left behind blood, cigarette butts or other evidence that could contain their genetic fingerprint. The university's lab tests this evidence for DNA and, if successful, forwards the results to the State Law Enforcement Division for verification. SLED then enters the genetic profile into the national DNA database for convicted offenders. That database linked known offenders to the 13 cases in question, Gordon said. Charleston police have seven of those cases; North Charleston police, four; and the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, two, she said. It could not immediately be determined Monday how many of those suspects have been arrested. Sheriff Al Cannon predicted DNA's value to investigators will only grow over time. "Eventually, I think it will become more valuable than fingerprints." Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 14 comment(s)
Posted by mr_happy on May 20, 2008 at 6:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is bad news, I'm automatically in the registry cause I'm military so if i smoke near a car that gets stolen ( hypothetically speaking cause I don't smoke) and they find my used cigarette butt on the ground I get charged for a crime I didn't commit. I don't see how this is going to help but cause some false arrest that folks will have to defend themselves against for no reason
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on May 20, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Keep your nose clean, your cigarette butts off of the ground, wash your dishes before leaving restaurants or just don’t eat out, take your glass or glass bottles with you when you leave the bar, wear latex gloves at all times, do not shed, brush or comb your hair in public, cover your mouth when you sneeze, use your James Bonds license plates when you go to N. Chas…and...you’ll be alright.
Posted by Early on May 20, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you don't do anything wrong, no worries mate. Sound a little paranoid to me.
Posted by ColdBeer on May 20, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the police, and court system, fully understand that finding a butt of yours next to a car is not the same thing as finding your DNA inside the car.
As retired Navy, my DNA is also on some database. I'm not worried in the least. I'd have to do something wrong in order to be worried.
Posted by DontSpamMeBro on May 20, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Happy - you are not in CODIS. You may be in a military DNA database, but not CODIS. CODIS is from criminals.
Posted by Early on May 20, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep, I was in the Navy also, left enough,,,samples on a Med cruise to convict me!
Posted by ColdBeer on May 20, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As long as the government doesn't get our SSNs we'll be just fine...
Oh wait...
Posted by ironhorse on May 20, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The military data base was formed to identify deceased members. To my knowledge, it was not to be distributed for any other reason. The same was true for people giving a sample for bone marrow donation; the intent was to keep it within the bone marrow registry. Still, I can see the possibility of the information being shared across agencies.
Posted by BigSargeofSC on May 20, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My figer print gets transfered to tape I use to seal a package. The package arrives at its final stop. Some criminal mastermind gets the idea of planting the tape with my finger print on it at a crime sceen....
Next up on tonights news, why bullfrongs dont have wings but sure could use them. And, "CSI"-Style shows mostly fiction.
Posted by Cid95 on May 20, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
While seemingly logical at first glance, the concept of "that's fine, let them use DNA, I've got nothing to hide" really opens up a potential Pandora's box of Civil Rights violations. Search your car anytime? Your house? your person? Your email accounts and bank records?
If DNA is used like fingerprints, fine. Six of one, half dozen of the other.
Posted by TP on May 20, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good lord, my DNA is splattered all over hotel rooms and hostels across the country and Europe and S. America. I hope I won't be falsely accused of any crimes because of this....hahahaha
Posted by CharlestonsFinest on May 20, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How is it a Civil Rights violation if your DNA is found somewhere where you have no legal right to be? Maybe we can charge you with littering since you throw cigarette butts on the ground....
Posted by riddiksgirl on May 20, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Speaking of littering, if I brush my hair and throw it out the window, with the full intention of the birds to use it for nesting, is it still considered littering?
Posted by Girleygirl on May 20, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL @ I can see it now. The police coming to your door to bust it in for throwing cigarettes on the ground. Now the fire ants can have a safe home!