This is the 2^nd article in response to the recent CFSO Position Paper opposing private laboratory access to CODIS. While the paper raises several concerns, many are without merit, and in some instances, misrepresent the proposed legislation (H.R. 7916). This paper addresses two specific claims: the supposed risk of private business interests and the claim that this bill would redistribute federal funds away from public labs

The FCJA supports the FBI’s recent movement to allow profiles generated with Rapid DNA cartridges into CODIS. The FBI's continued advancement of Rapid DNA technology reflects the same principles that drive FCJA's mission: fostering innovation, promoting collaboration, and supporting the responsible adoption of technologies that improve forensic outcomes.

The recent CFSO (Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations) position paper opposing private laboratory access to CODIS is unfortunately littered with distracting inaccuracies and strawman arguments. Rather than rebut every misstatement in the paper, I will address the most glaring.

Forensic DNA outsourcing is an essential pillar of the forensic DNA network. Yet, despite our technological advancements, we are still operating under a regulatory model that creates avoidable bottlenecks, delays justice and leaves viable leads on the table. This article demonstrates that the current model is broken and why private lab CODIS upload access is a critical need.

Congressman Troy E. Nehls introduced the CODIS Access Modernization Act, which would allow privately-owned and operated forensic evidence DNA testing laboratories to directly upload qualifying DNA profiles to the National DNA Index System (NDIS), so long as they meet certain requirements.

Public-private partnerships help generate more robust and probative DNA profiles in a timely manner, providing more investigative information and helping increase public safety. However, there is one major obstacle preventing true efficiency and significant cost savings- private DNA laboratories cannot access or directly upload eligible profiles to CODIS.