Writers often send me questions about DNA, and most include something about the turn around time for DNA analysis. Ten years ago the answer was weeks, five years ago hours, and now it seems only minutes are required.
Engineers at the University of Washington and scientists at NanoFracture, a company in Bellevue, WA, have developed a DNA extractor that uses electrodes and not spinning centrifuges to perform the critical and time-consuming step of removing DNA from any body fluid. And it does so in only a couple of minutes. Then on to a sequencer and before you know it you have a DNA profile.
Though not commercially available yet, this technology exists and it will be interesting to see how it progresses. Of course, it’s fiction-ready right now.
The Crime Fiction Writer's Blog 
Meghan O'Connor
June 4, 2013 at 8:12 am
Don’t forget that the US Supreme Court ruled yesterday that cops can take DNA samples from anyone they arrest, whether convicted or not.
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D.P. Lyle, MD
June 4, 2013 at 1:14 pm
As they should have. DNA profiling is just another method of ID and is really no different than a mug shot or fingerprints.
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Marni Graff
June 4, 2013 at 10:00 am
Thanks for this cutting edge news!
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Cheryl B. Dale
June 4, 2013 at 3:52 pm
Thanks for informing us!
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Pat Marinelli
June 5, 2013 at 6:58 am
Wow, can’t wait to see how long it takes for this to be available.
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Monica T. Rodriguez
June 5, 2013 at 7:08 am
Awesome! If it exists, that’s a go-ahead in my book! It will find it’s way into fiction soon enough.
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