The UNMC Human DNA Lab and the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab will continue to collaborate to provide DNA profiles to the Combined DNA Index System following the University of Nebraska Board of Regents’ approval on June 21 of an agreement between the two labs.
The Combined DNA Index System is a law enforcement tool that is run by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and accessible only to state labs. Under the agreement, UNMC’s Human DNA Lab will generate DNA profiles as requested by the NSPCL. After the NSPCL reviews the data and agrees with the interpretation, the data will be loaded to the DNA profile if it fits the qualifications for the CODIS system.
The agreement will be in effect from July 1 of this year to June 30, 2026. It is the continuation of a memorandum of understanding the two labs have had in place since 2009.
“Our outstanding molecular forensics team at the UNMC Human DNA Identification Laboratory – led by Dr. Jesse Cox – takes pride in supporting law enforcement efforts across the state,” said Joseph Khoury, MD, Stokes-Shackelford Professor and Chair, UNMC Department of Pathology and Microbiology.
“The success of this longstanding partnership is a reflection of the trust between the teams and our ability to work together to solve problems using cutting-edge molecular analysis tools,” he said. “We are very pleased to see this collaboration being renewed and are grateful for the Board of Regents for their support.”
I would to give a shout out to the ones in the lab who work so hard to get all the testing and results done for this new collaboration.
Mellissa Helligso Alexa Alencio and Joe Choquette!! Way to Go Team!!