Crime investigation tool and method utilizing DNA evidence

• US 8,661,048 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2008
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dna:Si Labs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dna:Si Labs, Inc.
• Inventors: Isakson, Andrew Patrick, Meehan, Brian Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): MENG, JAU SHYA
• Application Number:
  US12/042,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20090100030A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,183 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 707/758
• 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 method utilizing a crime investigation tool in which the crime investigation tool is configured to compare at least one DNA profile corresponding to at least one evidentiary DNA sample from a crime scene against a database, maintained by a host, of profiles corresponding with previously collected and processed DNA samples, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) acquiring directly from the host, which is a separate entity from a user accessing a host database, a first low level of access to the host database;

(b) acquiring the at least one evidentiary DNA sample from the crime scene for analysis;

(c) processing the at least one evidentiary DNA sample from the crime scene to obtain the at least one evidentiary DNA profile having information relating to variable lengths of repetitive DNA portions of the at least one evidentiary DNA sample;

(d) applying the first low level of access in order to access the database and entering the at least one evidentiary DNA profile into the database;

(e) acquiring an individual reference DNA sample for analysis, the individual reference DNA sample having identification information;

(f) disconnecting the identification information from the individual reference DNA sample and securely storing the identification information separately and independently from the individual reference DNA sample to provide an anonymous DNA sample for unbiased processing, such that no direct linkage exists between identification information and the individual reference DNA sample and such that only the host has access to the existing identification information and only the host has the ability to reconnect the identification information to the individual reference DNA sample;

(g) processing the anonymous DNA sample to obtain an anonymous DNA profile having information relating to variable lengths of repetitive DNA portions of the anonymous DNA sample;

(h) entering the anonymous DNA profile into the database;

(i) generating a scientific data report based on a comparison of the anonymous DNA profile to each of the at least one evidentiary DNA profile;

(j) separating the scientific data report into a comprehensive data report and an abridged report, the abridged report containing summary information concerning a match between the anonymous DNA profile and the at least one evidentiary DNA profile stored in the database, and the comprehensive data report having at least one statistical information selected from the group consisting of types of crimes committed in a predetermined region, number of total crimes, number of unsolved crimes, and related crimes;

(k) reporting the abridged report;

(l) acquiring directly from the host a second level of access, that is higher and more secure than the first low level, so that access is available to the identification information which is separately and independently maintained by the host according to step (f);

(m) applying the second level of access, reconnecting the identification information with the anonymous DNA profile of the anonymous DNA sample, and attaching the identification information to the abridged report; and

(n) reporting the abridged report having the identification information attached;

wherein;

steps (a) through (n) are performed sequentially; and

the summary information in the abridged report includes identification information having a subset of information related to the matching DNA profiles including at least one of an identity of the donor of DNA samples associated with the matching DNA profiles, information related to the donor, or information related to location, time or circumstances of obtaining the DNA samples corresponding to the matching DNA profiles.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the variable lengths of repetitive DNA portions of the at least one evidentiary DNA sample from the crime scene and the variable lengths of repetitive DNA portions of the anonymous DNA sample correspond to each other.

3. The method claim 1, wherein the variable lengths of repetitive DNA portions of the at least one evidentiary DNA sample from the crime scene and the variable lengths of repetitive DNA portions of the anonymous DNA sample each comprise at least partial genotype information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein match between the anonymous DNA profile and the at least one evidentiary DNA profile comprises a determination that the variable lengths of repetitive DNA portions of respective anonymous and evidentiary DNA profiles match each other.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein a match comprises a determination that the respective DNA profiles match each other within a predetermined margin of error.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the summary information in the abridged report having the identification information reported in step (n) following the application of the second level of access to the database includes a subset of information related to the matching DNA profiles.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the subset of information related to the matching DNA profiles includes an identity of a custodian of one or more DNA samples corresponding to the matching DNA profiles.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the subset of information related to the matching DNA profiles includes an identity of a law enforcement official associated with the DNA samples corresponding to the matching DNA profiles.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the subset of information related to the matching DNA profiles includes a map displaying locations associated with the DNA samples corresponding to the matching DNA profiles.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the subset of information related to the at least one matching reference DNA sample includes a timeline having times associated with the DNA samples corresponding to the matching DNA profiles.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein reporting the abridged report comprises transmitting the abridged report via a network.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting the abridged report comprises emailing the abridged report to a user.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein reporting the abridged report comprises reporting a subset of information from the abridged report.