BodeHITS™- Local DNA Database

BodeHITS™ is a service provided by Bode Technology to law enforcement agencies designed to quickly develop DNA profiles from evidence and reference samples collected from crime scenes, ideally suited for property and drug crimes. BodeHITS offers the expanded use of DNA on some of the crimes that impact communities most.  Within the BodeHITS program, law enforcement agencies select the samples that they want processed for DNA analysis.  The resulting DNA profiles are entered into a local database where they are compared to other DNA profiles.  Matches are sent by email directly to the agency as investigative leads.

The BodeHITS program offers:

• Cost-effective DNA analysis
• Control, as the law enforcement agency decides which samples to submit
• Fast turnaround times
• Automated DNA match notifications sent via email
• Direct access to scientific experts
• Opportunity to develop a local or regional solution

What is a BodeHITS local DNA database?

BodeHITS is a program where law enforcement agencies develop a database of local suspects to develop investigative leads quickly.  The program includes training, software, and access to cost-effective and fast DNA analysis. Databases can be developed by individual police departments and expanded regionally.

• Bode will test your samples, create a custom local database for your agency, and search your database for ‘hits’ linking the samples to other DNA profiles
• Option to compare your agency’s profiles with those in the databases of other cooperating law enforcement agencies; expanding your search increases the potential of BodeHITS
• Online and automated tools to track and manage sample submissions and ‘hit’ notifications

All DNA testing in BodeHITS is completed in 30-days or less

Why focus on local property, gun, and drug crimes?

DNA can be an extremely effective tool to identify criminals in highly recidivistic crimes.  As low level criminals escalate, stopping them early can have a substantial impact on communities and public safety. 

• The DNA Field Experiment found that DNA testing is five times as likely to identify a suspect as fingerprinting and in property crime cases that involve DNA processing, is twice as likely to result in an arrest.²
• In a study conducted by Denver’s police and district attorney offices, cases with DNA evidence were prosecuted more frequently (32.5% versus 5.9%).³
• In Denver, defendants have been shown to be more likely to plead guilty to the top charge when DNA evidence is present

Does BodeHITS work?

BodeHITS is most effective with a commitment to a database.  Law enforcement agencies can have success within their first batch submitted, if they are focused on individual cases.  As the database of samples increases, agencies will see “cold hits” to cases can develop new investigative leads in no-suspect cases.  Over time, the DNA database can help reduce crime rates in your community.

Resources 

Rapid DNA and Local DNA Databases Webinars:

Webinar #1: Implementation of Rapid DNA: Prevent Tomorrow's Victim

Click Here for On Demand Webinar

Bode Technology and Thermo Fisher Scientific co-hosted this webinar to help the criminal justice community understand the significant impact Rapid DNA and local DNA databases can have on solving and preventing crime. 

Webinar #2: From Collection to Prosecution: Investigations using Rapid DNA and a Local DNA Database 
Click Here for On Demand Webinar

Bode Technology and Thermo Fisher Scientific are proud to offer this follow up webinar featuring Glenn Vandegrift, Detective Sergeant of Forensics in the Criminal Investigations Division at Bensalem Township Police department, who will use case examples to explain how Rapid DNA and local DNA databases can solve crimes faster.