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Congressman Honda: And I understand that this delay in the rapid DNA technology adoption,
which could result in a proliferation of independent or local DNA databases which would not prove
as the effective or as secure as the CODIS, or the FBI's database. So it's my understanding
that the current turn around times for police agencies to receive a DNA hit matching results
for arrestees and convicted offenders stands at about 90 days, or even more, due to the
DNA processing backlog. So it makes the backlog even more [excuse me] important. Can the FBI
now green-light rapid DNA pilot studies --and it sounds like you might need a couple of
weeks to look at this also -- but can they green light rapid DNA pilot studies accessing
CODIS from the non public laboratory settings, such as the police booking stations and other
similar stations? And is the FBI supportive of both the DNA profile hit-matching and DNA
profile uploading from the rapid DNA instruments of police booking stations. I guess the border
checkpoint type settings that are outside the normal process.
Director Comey: I know enough to tell you that I find the idea of rapid DNA very exciting,
that this could be in police stations and people could be processed and results obtained
very very quickly. So exciting that I went to the lab and they showed me to machines
that we are piling right now to test to see - how well do they work, is it repeatable,
is it reasonably error prove 'cause those are all the dangers of having these machines
proliferating around the country. I don't know exactly the timeline on those evaluations,
but I know it is something we feel a sense of urgency on and that's why the lab is piling
these machines right now.
Congressman Honda: Ok, I will be very interested in keeping up on that information because
I think that trying to bring some justice to those who are victims in *** assaults
and it is gonna be based on DNA outcomes, seems to be very important to get rid of the
backlogs. We will be working with you closely on this. I appreciate your sense of cooperation
on this matter. And all of these across the country are watching this too. Thank you.
Director Comey: Thank you, Mr. Honda