The expiration date on the sexual assault kit refers to the blood tube only. If the blood tube has expired replace it with a purple-capped (EDTA) blood tube from the hospital stock. Do not discard the kit! 

It is incumbent upon the DNA section to make every reasonable effort to associate biological stains with the individuals who may have imparted the stain. Due to the sensitivity of current DNA procedures, it is not uncommon to find mixtures of DNA on an item. An example of this would be finding the suspect's blood on the victim's clothes. Simply being the wearer of the clothing, the victim may impart their own DNA on the garment, thus causing a mixture with the suspects DNA. If we only had the suspects standard to compare to the stain, there would always be a question as to who else's DNA is present unless we had a standard from the victim as well. 

A standard is a reference biological specimen from a known individual. Obtaining a standard from a known individual is similar to obtaining a ten-print card for fingerprint comparison. Intravenous blood and buccal swabs (swab from the interior cheek) are appropriate standards to use for comparisons. 

A secondary standard is a reference standard that is not an intimate sample such as intravenous blood or buccal swabs (swab from the interior cheek). Secondary standards are normally items that have been used by the person such as a toothbrush, used dental floss, shaving razor and or a cut from a suspect’s hand. We generally do not like to use these items as standards because we cannot always ensure that these items came from the person in question. If an appropriate standard is available we will always request that over a secondary standard. In circumstances where an appropriate standard is not available, such as missing persons, mass disasters or interred bodies, we will consider using a secondary standard. 

The DNA section requires its analysts to possess a baccalaureate degree in one of the natural sciences (eg. Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science); coursework must include 20 semester hours in biology (course credit in genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology or other subjects which provide a basic understanding of the foundations of forensic DNA analysis should be included in hours. Course credit in statistics and/or population genetics is recommended. 

The Saint Louis County Police Crime Laboratory (SLCPD) will accept evidence from any law enforcement agency, regulatory agency, or law enforcement function branch of an agency in or of the State of Missouri or the Federal Government of the United States.

All evidence received must be associated with a criminal investigation. Evidence associated with civil litigation will not be accepted.

DNA evidence and reference samples will be accepted according to the criteria outlined in the SLCPD DNA Submission Guidelines.

All evidence received by the SLCPD Laboratory must be properly sealed. A proper seal is defined as closure of the container by any number of various sealing devices which will protect the contents from loss, cross transfer, contamination or degradation during routine handling. The seal should be such that entry into the container will result in obvious damage and/or alteration to the container or its seal and is further authenticated by the initials or identifying mark of an individual responsible for the container's contents.

Evidence that is too large to be sealed (vehicle body parts, mattress, house doors, etc.) will be stored in a secure area of the laboratory and examined as soon as possible.

The Laboratory will not repeat or duplicate forensic examinations that have previously been performed by another laboratory. Supplemental testing that has not been performed on previously examined specimens will be conducted only if the evidence may provide additional probative value to the case and after discussion with a Prosecuting Attorney.

Generally all evidence, and samples collected from evidence, will be returned to the submitting agency (County cases are maintained by the Property Control Unit) when the forensic examinations are completed. 

DNA evidence is best used to make good associations between victims, suspects, and crime scenes. It is our position that we generate as many associations as possible using the least amount of resources and evidentiary material. 

Due to our accreditation and laboratory policy, we are required to include much more information in our reports than may seem necessary to the casual observer. 

Yes, hair does contain DNA. we process hair only in cases where no other evidence exists. If the root of the hair is in its active growing stage, DNA may be extracted from the root. If the root is not in its active growing stage and naturally shed, then the hair would be a candidate for mitochondrial DNA analysis. The SLCPD lab DOES NOT perform mitochondrial DNA analysis. 

Any individual who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a felony or any offense under 566, RSMo. Also, any individual who is seventeen years of age or older and is arrested for burglary in the first degree under section 569.160, RSMo, or burglary in the second under section 569.170, RSMo, or a felony offense under chapters 565, 566, 567, 568, and 573, RSMo, is required to provide a biological sample for DNA analysis. Additionally, any individual who has been determined to be a sexually violent predator pursuant to sections 632.480 to 632.513, RSMo, or who is required to register as a sexual offender under sections 589.400 to 589.425, RSMo, will be profiled for the DNA database. 

The DNA profiles will be maintained in the system indefinitely, barring any legal requirement to remove the profile. 

If the DNA profile is of sufficient quality it will automatically be shared with all the states in the US. A match may occur with an offender or crime scene sample from another state.