Lake County Sheriff’s Office is one of the first agencies in the nation and one of two in Florida to operate under Florida’s new Forensic Rapid DNA Program, a partnership with FDLE that can reduce DNA turnaround times from the traditional six to 18 months to as little as 24 to 48 hours. Specially trained forensic specialists process qualifying evidence locally, with FDLE analysts reviewing the results and eligible profiles being searched through CODIS. The program has already helped investigators quickly rule out a potential suspect in a sexual assault case and identify a potential suspect in another investigation. While Rapid DNA will not replace traditional testing for complex evidence, the program provides faster investigative answers, reduces the workload on state forensic laboratories, and helps law enforcement move cases forward more efficiently.
