FBI’s New DNA Process Produces More Matches in Suspect Database - WSJ | FBI took control of, continued to operate child pornography website - WSOC Charlotte

"Scientists expect many to be matches that confirm the guilt of people already caught, but others, they hope, will provide a jump-start to long-dormant unsolved cases... 
The FBI’s DNA database is like a giant computerized collection of bar codes for human beings’ genetic information. It was launched in 1998 with nine participating states, and after three years it held 800,000 DNA profiles, including known offenders and unknown suspect samples. Now fed by DNA profiles from every state, and local as well as federal investigations, today there are more than 15 million profiles in the system, making it the largest collection of such data in the world... 
The FBI’s longstanding practice was to identify “hits’’ by focusing on 13 specific locations in DNA to look for repeating genetic-code patterns. If there were matches on 10 of the 13 locations, the samples were judged as potential matches.
But starting in May, the FBI began studying its samples by looking for pattern matches at eight or nine locations.
That effort has generated thousands more potential leads, which investigators around the country are currently pursuing. A “hit’’ in the FBI system isn’t considered evidence to be used later in court, but a tip to be verified through further investigation and testing.
Officials say the new standard in no way waters down the accuracy of the work because they now understand better which genetic locations are most rare and distinctive within human DNA... 
Barry Scheck, a defense lawyer and co-founder of the Innocence Project, praised the FBI’s move. “It’s a welcome development but now the responsibility falls upon the state and local authorities to expeditiously follow up on these hits in both cold cases and closed cases,” he said. “If that happens I’m confident that not only will cold cases be solved, but innocent people who are in prison for crimes they didn’t commit will also be exonerated.”... 
The FBI now has two types of machines that can identify a DNA sample in 90 minutes... 
Tina Delgado, a section chief at the Biometrics Analysis Section, said the new technology will likely speed the release of people who are tested as potential suspects." 

FBI’s New DNA Process Produces More Matches in Suspect Database - WSJ 

WASHINGTON—Federal Bureau of Investigation scientists have adopted a new method of analyzing DNA samples, generating thousands of fresh potential leads in cold cases from the world’s largest genetic database of suspects.
The change doesn’t affect how the FBI collects or tests samples, but how it compares them at its laboratory facilities in Quantico, Va.
In May, scientists using the new methodology for the National DNA Index System generated about 7,000 fresh potential matches in the system. Those matches are now being subjected to closer scrutiny to see if they offer any new suspects or evidence in cold cases, officials said. Scientists expect many to be matches that confirm the guilt of people already caught, but others, they hope, will provide a jump-start to long-dormant unsolved cases.

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In Texas, for instance, the new method generated about 1,000 new potential matches. Investigators pored over the results and determined about 65 of those could provide new information for criminal investigations, according to state forensic officials.
Tom Vinger, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, called the new approach “extremely helpful to law enforcement, especially for cold cases in which the DNA has been degraded and testing will only produce partial results.’’
The FBI’s DNA database is like a giant computerized collection of bar codes for human beings’ genetic information. It was launched in 1998 with nine participating states, and after three years it held 800,000 DNA profiles, including known offenders and unknown suspect samples. Now fed by DNA profiles from every state, and local as well as federal investigations, today there are more than 15 million profiles in the system, making it the largest collection of such data in the world.
Equipment used to collect DNA for two machines that can identify a DNA sample in 90 minutes.ENLARGE
Equipment used to collect DNA for two machines that can identify a DNA sample in 90 minutes.Photo: Chet Strange for The Wall Street Journal
To find DNA matches, scientists look closely for certain parts of the genetic code that vary widely. When DNA experts find recurring patterns at certain genetic locations, or loci, in two samples, they know they have DNA samples from the same person, or from two closely related people.
The FBI’s longstanding practice was to identify “hits’’ by focusing on 13 specific locations in DNA to look for repeating genetic-code patterns. If there were matches on 10 of the 13 locations, the samples were judged as potential matches.
But starting in May, the FBI began studying its samples by looking for pattern matches at eight or nine locations.
That effort has generated thousands more potential leads, which investigators around the country are currently pursuing. A “hit’’ in the FBI system isn’t considered evidence to be used later in court, but a tip to be verified through further investigation and testing.
Officials say the new standard in no way waters down the accuracy of the work because they now understand better which genetic locations are most rare and distinctive within human DNA.
Thomas Callaghan, a scientist with the FBI’s Biometric Analysis Section, compared the new approach to sifting through vehicle traffic by searching for the more unusual makes and models of cars. It is hard to find a specific vehicle when you are searching a common car, like a dark Toyota Camry, he said—but much easier to search for a yellow Volkswagen. VLKAY -1.20 %
“We’ve taken the dark Camrys out of the database search, and we’ve put in the yellow Volkswagens,’’ he said.
Barry Scheck, a defense lawyer and co-founder of the Innocence Project, praised the FBI’s move. “It’s a welcome development but now the responsibility falls upon the state and local authorities to expeditiously follow up on these hits in both cold cases and closed cases,” he said. “If that happens I’m confident that not only will cold cases be solved, but innocent people who are in prison for crimes they didn’t commit will also be exonerated.”
The FBI is also modernizing its DNA work by speeding up the technology used to generate immediate DNA profiles—a technique called Rapid DNA. It used to take an entire workday to develop a DNA profile. In a big case such as the Boston marathon bombing—where there was a large number of samples to be tested and an urgent need to do so to catch the suspects—scientists would have to stop all the work they were doing to refocus on a new batch of time-sensitive samples.
The FBI now has two types of machines that can identify a DNA sample in 90 minutes. Each machine costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, so they aren’t likely to replace traditional lab work, but when investigators are in a race against the clock, the machines will be extremely useful, FBI officials said.
Tina Delgado, a section chief at the Biometrics Analysis Section, said the new technology will likely speed the release of people who are tested as potential suspects.
“The police officer could drive that sample over to the laboratory, run it through the machine, and we could have that person home by dinner if they were not the contributor of the DNA at that crime scene,’’ she said.
Write to Devlin Barrett at devlin.barrett@wsj.com
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FBI's New DNA Process Produces More Matches in Suspect Database - Wall Street Journal

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Wall Street Journal

FBI's New DNA Process Produces More Matches in Suspect Database
Wall Street Journal
The change doesn't affect how the FBI collects or tests samples, but how it compares them at its laboratory facilities in Quantico, Va. In May, scientists using the new methodology for the National DNA Index System generated about 7,000 fresh potential ...
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FBI took control of, continued to operate child pornography website - WSOC Charlotte

Adolf claims the FBI improved the site's efficiency from an average of 11,000 weekly visitors to approximately 50,000 per week. During the two-week period "approximately 200 videos, 9,000 images and 13,000 links to child pornography were posted on the ...
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Biden says he expects Obama to close Guantanamo before leaving office 

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Vice President Joseph R. Biden said Thursday he expects President Obama to close the military detention center at Guantanamo Bay before leaving office in January.
"That is my hope and expectation," Mr. Biden said during a news conference in Sweden.
Mr. Obama has vowed to close the military prison in ...

Secret Cameras Record Baltimore's Every Move From Above - Bloomberg

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Bloomberg

Secret Cameras Record Baltimore's Every Move From Above
Bloomberg
The city's police have been testing an aerial surveillance system adapted from the surge in Iraq.

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FBI releases photos after shot fired inside Willoughby Hills bank - fox8.com

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fox8.com

FBI releases photos after shot fired inside Willoughby Hills bank
fox8.com
No one was injured and the suspects didn't get any cash. Anyone with information is urged to call the Cleveland Division of the FBI at 216-522-1400 or the Willoughby Hills Police Department at 440-942-9111. Tips can remain anonymous and reward money ...
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In Baltimore, the police and a private company are running surveillance flights like never before - Washington Post

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Baltimore Sun

In Baltimore, the police and a private company are running surveillance flights like never before
Washington Post
“As technology permits it, we're seeing systems that seek to watch everybody all the time,” said Jay Stanley of the ACLU's Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project. “This is a giant leap into a real Big Brother future.” The practice received attention ... 
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FBI searching for alleged serial convenience store robber in Baltimore area - Fox Baltimore

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Fox Baltimore

FBI searching for alleged serial convenience store robber in Baltimore area
Fox Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WBFF) – A day after investigators released surveillance photos of a man wanted in connection with a series of bank robberies in Baltimore and Baltimore County, the FBI says it is now searching for a suspect in five robberies of convenience ... 
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FBI took control of, continued to operate child pornography website - WSOC Charlotte

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WSOC Charlotte

FBI took control of, continued to operate child pornography website
WSOC Charlotte
Adolf claims the FBI improved the site's efficiency from an average of 11,000 weekly visitors to approximately 50,000 per week. During the two-week period "approximately 200 videos, 9,000 images and 13,000 links to child pornography were posted on the ...

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Miss. Islamic State recruit thanks FBI for saving his life - USA TODAY

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USA TODAY

Miss. Islamic State recruit thanks FBI for saving his life
USA TODAY
OXFORD, Miss. — A Mississippi man who once tried to join the Islamic State group credited arresting FBI agents with saving his life as he was sentenced to eight years in prison Wednesday, telling a federal judge he didn't then understand what the ...
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DA: FBI agent, Boston officer justified in shooting terror suspect Usaamah Rahim - Boston.com

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MassLive.com

DA: FBI agent, Boston officer justified in shooting terror suspect Usaamah Rahim
Boston.com
More than a year after Usaamah Rahim was shot to death by an FBI agent and a Boston police officer in a Roslindale parking lot, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley has announced that his office will not be pursuing criminal charges against ...
Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley says Boston Police/FBI shooting of Usaamah Rahim, man allegedly linked ...MassLive.com

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A Conflicted Donald Trump Tries to Temper His Tone - New York Times

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New York Times

A Conflicted Donald Trump Tries to Temper His Tone
New York Times
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Mississippi Man Sentenced, Thanks FBI for Stopping Him From Joining ISIS - NBCNews.com

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NBCNews.com

Mississippi Man Sentenced, Thanks FBI for Stopping Him From Joining ISIS
NBCNews.com
Mississippi Man Sentenced, Thanks FBI for Stopping Him From Joining ISIS. by Alex Johnson. Share; Share · Tweet · Share · Email; Print; Comment · advertisement. Muhammad Oda Dakhlalla, a Mississippi honors student who pleaded guilty earlier this year ... 
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No charges in police shooting of Boston terror suspect - WPTZ

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No charges in police shooting of Boston terror suspect
WPTZ
Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley on Wednesday released a report spelling out the investigation into the death of Usaamah Rahim, who was fatally shot by law officers. Officials said he waved a 13-inch knife at officers in Boston. "The ...

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FBI’s New DNA Process Produces More Matches in Suspect Database

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