New DNA technology in Durant gives investigators faster preliminary results
New DNA technology in Durant gives investigators faster preliminary results
Publish Date: 2026-05-27 19:00:00
Source Domain: www.kxii.com
DURANT, Okla. (KXII) – The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation unveiled its fifth rapid DNA workspace in partnership with the Durant Police Department and the Choctaw Nation Public Safety Department.
“I hope ultimately it makes our state a safer place to be and allows our law enforcement to be the tip of the spear and be the best that it can be for our citizens,” said Greg Mashburn, director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
The workspace will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for certified operators.
“We’ll have those capabilities available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for a certified operator to be able to come in from the field, walk into our department and be able to utilize that equipment,” said Jesse Petty, chief of police.
For rural agencies that don’t have an in-house lab, evidence has to be sent off and it can take months. This cuts that turnaround time and gets results back faster.
“Now we have some preliminary information that can help track down crimes or solidify suspects,” Petty said.
The instrument searches a statewide database.
“It’s going to compare that unknown DNA sample here in Durant with the people who have been booked in all over the state,” Mashburn said.
The quarter million dollar instrument is bringing technology to the fingertips of other law enforcement agencies across the region.
“That’s been allocated by state legislature for this program specifically,” said Beth Deen, rapid DNA program supervisor. “This is not going to be a replacement for the accredited lab DNA analysis. This is the presumptive or preliminary investigative lead information.”
This rapid DNA workspace marks the first in southeastern Oklahoma.
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