CRIME INVESTIGATION TOOL AND METHOD UTILIZING DNA EVIDENCE

• US 20090100030A1
• Filed: 03/05/2008
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dna:Si Labs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dna:Si Labs, Inc.
• Inventors: Isakson, Andrew Patrick, Meehan, Brian Walter
• Granted Patent: US 8,661,048 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/436 using biological or physiological data of a human being, e.g. blood pressure, facial expression, gestures

Abstract

Crime investigation systems and methods including an investigation tool for receiving and storing DNA information, attaching related case information, disconnecting identification information, matching the information against stored information, and generating and communicating reports of match results, and an interface in communication with the crime investigation tool for entering the related case information, updating the information, and receiving the reports. The systems and methods further provide evidence chain of custody tracking and real time entry and updating from the field.

Claims

1. A crime investigation system, comprising:

a crime investigation tool operable for receiving and storing DNA information, attaching related case information to the DNA information, disconnecting identification information from the DNA information, matching the DNA information against previously stored DNA information, and generating and communicating reports including match results; and

an interface in communication with the crime investigation tool, the interface operable for at least one of entering the related case information, updating the related case information, and receiving the reports.

2. The crime investigation system according to claim 1, wherein the interface is remote from the crime investigation tool and updates the related case information in real time.

3. The crime investigation system according to claim 1, wherein the crime investigation tool is further operable for generating a map including a specimen collection location.

4. The crime investigation system according to claim 1, wherein the crime investigation tool further tracks specimen chain of custody.

5. The crime investigation system according to claim 1, wherein the related case information includes at least one of case name, crime location, GPS coordinates, specimen information, specimen location, date, time, evidence collection procedure, specimen owner identification and case status.

6. The crime investigation system according to claim 1, wherein the crime investigation tool further links matching DNA information and communications matches to the interface via email.

7. The crime investigation system according to claim 1, wherein the crime investigation tool further generates court ready reports including matching DNA information and analyst conclusions.

8. The crime investigation system according to claim 1, wherein the crime investigation tool is further operable for generating statistical reports on crime.

9. The crime investigation system according to claim 1, wherein the crime investigation tool communicates with a DNA testing lab.

10. The crime investigation system according to claim 1, wherein the investigation tool includes a database, a memory, a processor, operating software and a server.

11. A crime investigation method, comprising:

providing a crime investigation tool operable for storing DNA information, attaching related case information to the DNA information, disconnecting identification information from the DNA information, matching the DNA information against previously stored DNA information, and generating and communicating reports including match results;

entering case information and specimen information from which a DNA profile can be obtained into the crime investigation tool through an interface remote from the crime investigation tool;

accessing the crime investigation tool through the interface to view case status and the match results; and

receiving the reports from the crime investigation tool through the interface.

12. The crime investigation method according to claim 11, further comprising accessing the crime investigation tool, updating the crime investigation tool and receiving the reports in real time.

13. The crime investigation method according to claim 11, wherein the crime investigation tool is further operable for generating maps showing evidence locations and linking matching DNA profiles.

14. The crime investigation method according to claim 11, further comprising tracking specimen chain of custody.

15. The crime investigation method according to claim 11, wherein the related case information includes at least one of case name, crime location, GPS coordinates, specimen information, specimen location, date, time, evidence collection procedure, specimen owner identification and case status.

16. The crime investigation method according to claim 11, further comprising emailing match and no match reports to the interface.

17. The crime investigation method according to claim 11, further comprising generating court ready reports including matching DNA information and analyst conclusions.

18. The crime investigation method according to claim 11, further comprising generating statistical reports on crime.

19. The crime investigation method according to claim 11, further comprising providing a DNA testing lab system for receiving specimens, generating a DNA profile, and communicating with the crime investigation tool.

20. A crime investigation method, comprising:

collecting a DNA sample from a crime scene;

generating DNA information from the DNA sample;

entering specimen and case related information into an interface;

transmitting the information to a crime investigation tool remote from the interface, the crime investigation tool operable for storing DNA information, matching new DNA information against stored DNA information, and transmitting match and no match reports; and

receiving the match and no match reports through the interface.