Guidance

Methods employing rapid DNA devices (FSR-GUI-0015)

Automated rapid DNA systems can include portable devices that can produce STR DNA profile results in under 2 hours for a small number of samples per run.

• From: Forensic Science Regulator
• Published: 1 April 2021
• Last updated: 21 January 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 21 January 2025

     Added a link to previous versions of this guidance.

  2. 29 August 2023

     The enacting of the Forensic Science Act 2021 places guidance documents produced by the Regulator on a different footing from those produced under the non-statutory Codes of Practice and Conduct. Guidance documents issued under the provisions of section 9 of the Act will not set any requirements (instructions that shall be done) as all requirements must be in the Statutory Code of Practice.

  3. 1 April 2021

     First published.

Documents

Methods employing rapid DNA devices (accessible version)

Ref: FSR-GUI-0015

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Methods employing rapid DNA devices

Ref: FSR-GUI-0015

PDF, 298 KB, 22 pages

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Details

This document details requirements, covering the process from sample preparation to profile designation, for rapid DNA devices, that apply to the use of devices employed in:

• sampling suites (custody suites or offices)
• incidents (crime scene, mass disaster)
• part of the laboratory work flow

It covers the following sample types:

a. Buccal reference samples – these are good quality, high quantity DNA samples and not an irreplaceable sample.

b. Recovered biological samples (crime stains, casework) – these are sample types of variable composition, quality and quantity; some samples are irreplaceable. Samples may include blood, cigarette butts, trace/touch DNA, body fluids from sexual assaults, burnt tissue and bone.

You can view previous versions of this guidance on the National Archives.