Oklahoma City police, prosecutors use DNA evidence to nab thieves

A smudge of blood on a broken window. A discarded cigarette butt. Even a used piece of toilet paper.

These are all items from which Oklahoma City police have recovered DNA evidence from burglars. Even when the criminals have not been identified and charged, their DNA profiles often are.

Scientists can now determine your entire genetic make-up in less than one day and for a price of $1,000.

The department started aggressively pursuing property crime cases through DNA evidence in 2009, said Campbell Ruddock, police DNA lab manager.

Police now routinely are handling over 500 DNA cases a year, with about a 20 percent increase each year, Ruddock said.

And upward of 360 of those DNA profiles have been charged by the Oklahoma County district attorney's office in the last five years.

Finding a match

With a good, clean sample, scientists can pin a genetic match.

A DNA profile is kind of like a combination lock. It's that specific order and combination we look for, Ruddock said.

We look at 16 points on the DNA. Anything beyond that is statistically irrelevant, he said.

Original post:
Oklahoma City police, prosecutors use DNA evidence to nab thieves