Rapid DNA Performance Results on Family Relationship Verification

Abstract

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), working with other Federal partners, developed Rapid DNA technology to meet a DHS requirement to verify family relationship claims to reduce fraud and expedite legal immigration. Several hundred thousand immigration relationship tests are processed annually for DHS by AABB accredited laboratories. The AABB Relationship Testing Subcommittee sets the standards for those tests and accreditation of relationship testing laboratories. But, shipping of the collection kits overseas and coordinating DNA collection can cause these tests to take weeks to months to process and results to be returned. Rapid DNA uses microfluidics technology to reduce the million-dollar clean-room DNA processes down to a standalone, integrated, and automated desktop system that processes five to seven DNA samples in 90 minutes in a closed, hands-off system. Rapid DNA is built to be operated by DHS field officers and agents. It is about the size of a laser printer, and can be operated in an office setting by anyone who can change a printer cartridge. It is also ruggedized to military requirements, and can be operated in hazardous field environments on generator power. Setup takes just 15 minutes. With success showing that Rapid DNA accurately verifies family relationships, additional DHS needs were identified to fight human trafficking along U.S. borders and reunify families following critical or mass-casualty incidents. This presentation will discuss the DHS needs for family relationship verification, AABB Standards, and Rapid DNA performance and field test results.