Arkansas has officially launched automated Rapid DNA technology at law enforcement booking stations, becoming only the third state in the nation to deploy the advanced crime-solving capability.

The technology allows detention officers to generate DNA profiles from qualifying arrestees in approximately 90 minutes. The Saline County Detention Center in Benton is already processing samples. Read more below.

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Officials with the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory (ASCL) announced the rollout Tuesday alongside state and federal leaders.

“Arkansas is proud to be the third state in the entire nation to offer Rapid DNA technology to our law enforcement — and excited for the difference this will make in public safety,” Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.

During the initial rollout, DNA profiles generated at booking facilities are uploaded directly to the national Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). System searches immediately run against crime-scene profiles from active public-safety cases, followed by a secondary search across all eligible crime-scene evidence within 24 hours. If a match is detected, both the booking agency and investigative personnel are automatically alerted.

The Saline County Detention Center in Benton began processing qualifying arrestee DNA samples on Sept. 23. The Faulkner County Detention Center in Conway is currently completing preparations and is scheduled to begin processing samples soon.

“Rapid DNA can provide investigators with actionable information in hours rather than weeks or months,” ASCL Director Dr. Theodore Brown said. “That speed can be especially meaningful when a person may still be in custody, and investigators are working to identify connections to unsolved crimes.”

Dr. Brown recognized forensic scientists Miranda Crawford and Emma Knight for their work developing the operational framework, as well as Jennifer Beaty-West, Deputy Director of Scientific Operations, for leading coordination efforts.

Program launch funding was made possible through federal investments secured by U.S. Sen. John Boozman for Saline and Faulkner counties, as well as financial backing from the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office.

“I’m pleased to see the investments I secured for Faulkner and Saline Counties will allow investigators to confirm the identity of dangerous suspects more quickly, which will ultimately help keep more Arkansans safe,” Boozman said.

Attorney General Tim Griffin added that the technology will significantly enhance the state’s capacity to solve open cases.

To ensure system integrity and data security, all participating detention staff must complete formal certification. Operating sites are subject to strict compliance oversight under ASCL and FBI standards, with all DNA profiles protected under federal and state privacy statutes.

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