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Ohio's County Prosecutors Can Track DNA Evidence Online
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- County prosecutors in Ohio can track the testing status of DNA evidence that has been submitted to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation by local law enforcement agencies through DNA Online, a tool recently introduced by state Attorney General Jim Petro. The Web-based platform can be accessed only by registered law-enforcement officials, he emphasized."With DNA Online, prosecutors are able to log on and view the information as soon as one of their local law enforcement agencies submits evidence to BCI's lab," Petro said. "This tool will certainly increase the efficiency of processing evidence and preparing for trials."BCI's lab assists local law enforcement agencies by analyzing submitted evidence for biological clues that could link a crime to a specific suspect. BCI scientists process an average of more than 260 cases per month, Petro said.Each piece of evidence submitted includes the name and contact information of the forensic scientist assigned to the case, and every step taken by the lab to test the evidence is noted, Petro said. In addition, prosecutors have the ability to provide instructions, including orders to prioritize a specific piece of evidence for quicker processing. "Enhanced DNA processing and reporting will enable police and prosecutors to better protect victims and the public," said Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien.'"