State Becomes Third in Nation to Deploy Technology
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory (ASCL) has officially launched Rapid DNA technology at participating booking stations, making Arkansas the third state in the nation to deploy this cutting-edge law enforcement capability.
“Arkansas is proud to be the third state in the entire nation to offer Rapid DNA technology to our law enforcement — and excited for the difference this will make in public safety,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “I’m grateful to all our federal, state, and local partners for their work to support this project and keep Arkansans safe.”
Rapid DNA is a fully automated process that generates a DNA profile from a qualifying arrestee sample in approximately 90 minutes. During this initial rollout, resulting profiles are uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and searched first against crime-scene profiles connected to public-safety cases. A secondary search against all eligible crime-scene profiles occurs within 24 hours. If a profile matches crime-scene evidence, both booking and investigating agencies are immediately notified.
The Saline County Detention Center in Benton began processing qualifying arrestee DNA samples on September 23, 2026. The Faulkner County Detention Center in Conway is already engaged in preparations and is expected to start processing qualifying arrestee DNA samples in the near future.
“This is an important public-safety milestone for Arkansas,” said Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Col. Mike Hagar. “Rapid DNA gives law enforcement a valuable investigative tool while maintaining strict standards for accuracy, privacy, training, and oversight.”
Arkansas received official FBI authorization to operate the program during the summer of 2026 following extensive training and testing by ASCL and Saline County Sheriff’s Office personnel.
“Rapid DNA can provide investigators with actionable information in hours rather than weeks or months,” said ASCL Director Dr. Theodore Brown. “That speed can be especially meaningful when a person may still be in custody, and investigators are working to identify connections to unsolved crimes. This launch reflects an extraordinary partnership among the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, county detention facilities, state agencies, technology providers and federal partners.”
Dr. Brown credited several key individuals for the program’s successful execution, noting that forensic scientists Miranda Crawford and Emma Knight were instrumental in turning the complex vision into an operational program, while Jennifer Beaty-West, Deputy Director of Scientific Operations, provided the critical leadership and coordination needed to bring the effort across the finish line.
Federal funding support played a pivotal role in bringing the technology to the state’s detention centers.
“It’s important that our law enforcement officers have access to up-to-date technology and equipment so they can continue protecting their communities,” said Arkansas U.S. Senator John Boozman. “I’m pleased to see the investments I secured for Faulkner and Saline Counties will allow investigators to confirm the identity of dangerous suspects more quickly, which will ultimately help keep more Arkansans safe.”
The Arkansas Attorney General’s Office supplied instrumental funding to launch the project.
“The Arkansas Crime Lab continues to be a model of excellence for forensic science across the country,” said Attorney General Tim Griffin. “This new technology will significantly enhance the State’s ability to solve crimes and ensure justice is served.”
To maintain the integrity of the program, all participating detention-center personnel must be trained and certified. Participating sites are strictly required to comply with all Arkansas State Crime Laboratory and FBI policies. All DNA samples, profiles, and related data remain fully protected under applicable state and federal confidentiality requirements.
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