Emerging and Expanding Technologies
The field of forensic DNA continues to see innovations that are transforming how biological evidence is collected, analyzed, and interpreted. In addition to advances such as Rapid DNA analysis and Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG), technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), probabilistic genotyping, investigative genetic marker analysis, targeted sequencing, microarrays, and whole-genome sequencing are expanding the capabilities of forensic science. These tools enable investigators and laboratories to extract more information from smaller, degraded, or complex samples, improve interpretation of mixed DNA profiles, and generate investigative leads in cases that were once considered unsolvable.
These advanced DNA technologies are helping to solve violent crimes and cold cases, identify missing persons and human remains, and strengthen connections among cases across jurisdictions. Emerging analytical approaches are also helping laboratories reduce backlogs, improve quality assurance, and generate insights that inform policy and resource allocation. As their use grows, states and laboratories are also addressing important issues related to validation, privacy, ethics, and policy to ensure these innovations are implemented responsibly.
90%
Today, more than 90% of public forensic laboratories in the US use or are implementing probabilistic genotyping software, making it one of the fastest-adopted forensic technologies.
1,400
Since the Golden State Killer arrest in 2018, over 1,400 publicly reported cases have been resolved with the aid of forensic investigative genetic genealogy.
