Nominations Recognizing Effective Use of DNA Databases in Criminal Cases Now Being Requested

TACOMA, Wash., Jan. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2^nd annual DNA Hit of the Year Program, which recognizes the power of forensic DNA databases to solve serious crime, is now accepting case submissions.  A distinguished panel of forensic DNA scientists, police, prosecutors, and victim advocates will collaborate with Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs (GTH-GA) to determine which case will be recognized as the DNA Hit of the Year. 

Each year throughout the world, tens of thousands of criminal suspects in sexual assaults, homicide and other serious crimes are identified through criminal offender DNA databases.  The DNA Hit of the Year serves to bring awareness to the world's greatest crime fighting tool.   Furthermore, the DNA Hit of the Year recognizes the efforts of crime lab personnel and police who use these databases to achieve justice, bring closure to crime victims, as well as exonerate the innocent.     

Last year, more than 50 submissions from fifteen countries were considered, including cases involving the "Chinese Jack the Ripper," a baby taken from a hospital 18 years ago, a double rape and murder unsolved for 26 years, and the release of an innocent individual when the real murderer's DNA was matched.

The 2017 DNA Hit of the Year was the case of Yara Gambirasio (of Brembate di Sopra, Italy) who was murdered on November 26, 2010. To identify the suspect whose full DNA profile was found at the crime scene, Italian authorities developed the world's largest known DNA mass screening database. Using this tool, investigators and analysts conducted a complex and exhaustive familial DNA search that ultimately led to an arrest on June 14, 2015.

Rock Harmon (retired) Senior Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County, California, one of the judges, says, "DNA has revolutionized law enforcement investigative techniques. DNA databases continue to produce investigative leads for both new and decades-old crimes.  DNA Hit of the Year celebrates the use of these databases to solve crime.  However, the program also brings much-deserved attention to the tireless work of crime lab personnel and investigators who work these DNA cases using scientific ingenuity and investigative skills."

To participate, applicants must submit an email of no more than 500 words, summarizing the case and explaining why the case was impactful or unique.

The case must be a "cold hit" case, one in which the criminal suspect was identified due to a match in the database where DNA from an unsolved crime scene was matched to a previously unidentified suspect in the database. The cold hit must have occurred on or after January 1, 2014 and it must be a serious criminal case that received community-wide attention or had significant public safety impact. 

Jayann Sepich, Co-founder of DNA Saves, says, "Programs such as the DNA Hit of the Year bring much-needed attention to Forensic DNA, the most significant criminal justice tool of the 21^st century. The use of offender DNA databases makes it possible to identify suspects in unsolved crimes and to correct injustices where citizens have been wrongly accused."

The DNA Hit of the Year will be announced during a plenary session hosted by GTH-GA at the Human Identification Solutions (HIDS) Conference in Rome, Italy on May 4, 2018 (See link to conference: http://bit.ly/2CS1Yi8). Scientific and investigative highlights from other finalist cases will also be discussed.  

Further details on eligibility requirements and submission process can be found at http://www.dnaresource.com/hitoftheyearmain.html. Submissions must be provided to [email protected] no later than March 2, 2018.

About GTH-GA
Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs is globally recognized as experts in forensic DNA database policy, legislative, and law. For nearly twenty years, consultants at GTH-GA have consulted in over 50 countries and states on legislation and policies to establish or expand criminal offender DNA databases. GTH-GA collaborates closely with governmental officials, crime labs, police and the DNA industry. GTH-GA operates the DNAResource.com website which has been used as the world's primary source for DNA database policy and legislative information.

Contact:
Alan Zachary
[email protected] 
708/707-6834

SOURCE Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs

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