TERRE HAUTE —
When an offender says “It’s not mine” or “I didn’t touch it” regarding illegal drugs, weapons or other contraband found at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, a new investigative tool can reveal the truth.
A Touch DNA forensics kit will allow investigators to rub a specially treated swab on an object to determine everyone who has come in contact with the object. And through a new pilot program in the DOC, the results of the DNA swab will be known in 60 days.
“If we have a suspect object, such as a packet of narcotics, we can swab it and everyone who has touched it will have their DNA register,” explained Robbie Marshall, security threat group coordinator in internal affairs, during a community advisory board meeting Thursday at WVCF.
Since all convicted felons in Indiana are required to submit their DNA sample into a nationwide database, the DNA test will show any inmates in the facility who have come in contact with the item. And if an unknown DNA profile also shows up on the item, investigators will know to look at visitors or staff as possible sources for the object.
“We are concerned about visitors bringing contraband in to the population,” Marshall said, “and we definitely want to stop those visitors from coming in, as well as any staff who might be bringing in narcotics or contraband.”
The objective of the Touch DNA program is to aid in the prosecution of criminal charges, he said, which is helped by the fact that DNA will stay on an object for up to two years, and a sample as small as a grain of salt can be tested for DNA.
In the case that an object tests positive for DNA that is not already in the database, investigators must have enough evidence to suggest who might have touched it, and then go to a county prosecutor to get a warrant for that suspect’s DNA.
“Before we test an object, we have an idea of who has handled it,” Marshall explained.
The project is fairly new at WVCF. In the first two months of the six-month program, three of the 10 swab kits have been used to collect DNA, and those three kits have been sent off to the forensic ID lab in Indianapolis to be processed.
Since it costs the DOC $500 for each kit submitted for testing, investigators are selective in what they send off to the lab. For instance, if a cell phone possibly intended as contraband is found lying in the prison’s public parking lot, that item is not considered for testing. But if a weapon used in a stabbing is found at the scene of the incident, a trained investigator can collect that weapon and do the testing right away. This Touch DNA test is not for fluids such as blood or saliva.
Correctional officer Frank Littlejohn said having trained staff on site to do the DNA testing streamlines the investigation of incidents inside the prison.
“If we have a weapon used for a stabbing, then we can find out not only who had it last, but maybe also who made it and who handled it,” Littlejohn said.
The tests have 100 percent accuracy, Marshall said.
Littlejohn said contraband cell phones and narcotics are both big problems inside DOC now. It is hoped that if offenders and visitors know that this testing can be done, people might be less likely to attempt trafficking with inmates, and the prisoners will be less likely to pick up suspect objects.
The speed of the results is a huge benefit to investigators, Marshall said.
“A 60-day turnaround is pretty quick,” he said.
In the past, submitting such DNA tests to the State Police Laboratory could mean up to a one-year wait for test results, because of the backlog of items to be tested at the lab.
Marshall said other law enforcement agencies in the state are using the Touch DNA testing already, and their success led the DOC to try this program on a six-month trial basis at five facilities around the state.
Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.
News
Touch DNA forensics kits streamlining prison investigations
- News
-
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
-
New date set for attempted murder trial
A new trial date has been set for a Terre Haute woman charged with attempted murder.
-
Rose-Hulman professor researching ways to make homes storm safe
Tornadoes produce greater uplift forces than hurricanes, which can flatten homes such as in Moore Okla., south of Oklahoma City.
-
Group wants to connect downtown Terre Haute with the Wabash River
Fairbanks Park is underutilized.
The Wabash River is peaceful and inviting, but there is some concern about its cleanliness as well as pollution levels. Also, people can’t get on the river unless they have a boat. -
New conservancy district appoints first directors
Members of the first board of directors of a new lake conservancy district were appointed Tuesday by the Vigo County Board of Commissioners.
-
Vigo law enforcement signs Triad charter to protect seniors
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller joined Vigo County law enforcement and community activists Tuesday to sign the county’s first Triad charter, becoming the 22nd Triad in Indiana.
-
Wabash Valley Red Cross wraps up Save the Day Campaign
The American Red Cross Wabash Valley Chapter’s 2013 annual meeting concluded the 17th annual Save the Day Campaign, and the results lifted the spirits of all who were involved.
-
Some Vigo roads washed out
Spring storms resulted in $250,000 in damages to roads in southern Vigo County, with costs including sand and labor to save homes near river bottoms, said county highway Assistant Superintendent Dan Bennett.
-
County Council votes $78K toward rail spur
County officials voted Tuesday night to make good on a 2011 promise to help improve a railroad spur just north of Terre Haute for Menard Inc.
-
Spring flooding damages future CSO holding lagoon
Flood waters from the Wabash River have done costly damage to one of the city-owned “lagoons” on former International Paper property.
-
Vigo tops state average for IREAD-3 scores
The Vigo County School Corp. exceeded the state average in the percentage of students passing the state’s mandatory Grade 3 reading test, IREAD-3.
-
Storms cause minor damage in Valley
Tuesday morning storms in the Wabash Valley caused thousands of Duke Energy customers to lose power.
-
Kindergartner diagnosed with MD treated to a day with the fire department
“He’ll just never forget this day,” Stacey Manley said, a little bit tearfully, as she watched her smiling 6-year-old son Carter sitting happily in the captain’s seat of Fire Engine 2.
-
Casey, Illinois aims for another world record
The town of Casey, Ill., may soon weave its way into the record books as the small town with the most world records. After setting records for the world’s largest wind chimes and the world’s largest golf tee, Casey is now looking to become home to the world’s largest knitting needles and crochet hook.
-
Rose-Hulman projects will promote growth, learning for people with physical challenges
Life changed dramatically for college engineering student Drew Christy on Feb. 22, 2008 when he was involved in an auto accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
-
‘500’ gas stations being sold to Speedway LLC
After several decades in business, the area’s familiar “500” gasoline stations and convenience stores will soon be missing from the roadsides of Vigo and Sullivan counties.
-
Terre Haute woman faces 14 charges
A Terre Haute woman faces 14 criminal counts after her arrest Friday on drug-related charges.
-
Two adults injured in ATV accident
Two adults were injured Sunday evening while riding an all-terrain vehicle near Lexington Farms Subdivision off Moyer Drive in southern Vigo County.
-
Vigo schools’ medical claims down 4 percent
The Vigo County School Corp.’s medical claims were about $13 million over the last 12 months, down 4 percent from the prior year, said Diane Titchenell, an Anthem account manager that works with the school district.
-
2013 Government Directory now available
The 2013 Government Directory is now available.
-
Life-Size Ping Pong: Valley pickleball tourney draws large crowd to Brittlebank Park
It’s been described as “ping pong on steroids.”
Some people call it “life-size ping pong where you stand on the table.” -
Boat trip aims to raise awareness about Lewy Body Dementia
In 2013, the Year of the River, it makes sense to link a grand adventure on the Wabash River with a good cause.
-
Legislature had little taste for alcohol bills
When it comes to alcohol, the 2013 legislative session may be marked more by what it didn’t do to boost booze sales than what it did.
- More News Headlines
-
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Today in History May 22
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Costa Rica Volcano Roars to Life
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
Today in History May 23
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
