5 Aug 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reston, VA — Parabon NanoLabs, Inc., a DNA technology company known worldwide for revolutionizing DNA-based crime solving, announced today the company has received a forensic laboratory permit from the New York Department of Health (NYS DoH) to employ its Snapshot® Advanced DNA Analysis technologies on forensic DNA samples originating in New York. The permit was granted following an extensive review by NYS DoH of the forensic validation results for Snapshot's procedures. Additionally, officials from the NYS DoH conducted an inspection of the company's facilities and conducted an on-site audit as part of this process. It is the first permit issued by NYS DoH for use of genetic genealogy and other Snapshot technologies for forensic investigations. Learn More About Snapshot DNA Analysis »
"Having developed these tools over most of the past decade, it is gratifying for our team to receive this permit after passing NYS DoH's stringent review process" said Dr. Ellen Greytak, Director of Bioinformatics at Parabon. "I can remember when nobody believed SNP genotyping would ever work on degraded DNA samples." With funding from the U.S. Department of Defense, Parabon's scientists have pioneered the use of genome-wide SNPs for highly degraded samples and mixed samples from law enforcement cases. Parabon's innovative methodology allows the Snapshot tools to work with as little as 1 nanogram of DNA and with mixtures. Read More Snapshot Success Stories »
Since Parabon's creation of its investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) division in May 2018, which is led by renowned GG investigator CeCe Moore, the Snapshot team has generated leads for police agencies across the country from crime scene DNA that have resulted in over 100 positive identifications — a rate of more than one per week.[1] The accomplishment is particularly noteworthy given that most of the cases were unsolved for decades prior to the introduction of Snapshot (an average of 25.4 years cold), although its use is trending toward more recent cases. See All Published Police Investigations »
Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Dr. Mark Wilson, now Director of Forensic Science at Parabon who led the certification
effort, said "Parabon's pioneering work in forensic DNA analysis, which includes SNP genotyping, mixture deconvolution,
phenotyping, and genetic genealogy has truly revolutionized the field. I have not seen anything so game-changing in my 29
years working in DNA forensics. It's exciting to be able to bring these technologies to New York investigators in an
attempt to solve both cold and active cases."
NEW –
Learn How to Effectively use Genetic Genealogy to
Advance Violent Criminal Invesgitations (Webinar) »
Detectives with unsolved violent criminal cases with DNA evidence are invited to contact Parabon at:
https://snapshot.parabon.com/request-info
[1] Agencies have publicly acknowledged Parabon's assistance in 88 of these cases. Many of the undisclosed cases will remain so for various reasons, including situations where suspects were identified by DNA but subsequently cleared of the crime.
About Parabon NanoLabs, Inc.
Parabon NanoLabs is a vertically integrated DNA technology company that develops next-generation forensic and therapeutic products by leveraging the enormous power of DNA. Staffed by a uniquely qualified team of scientists and technologists whose expertise ranges from bioinformatics and chemistry to computer science and pharmacology, Parabon is bringing to market revolutionary new products and services made possible by recent advances in DNA sequencing, analysis and manufacturing technologies.
Media Contacts
Parabon NanoLabs
Paula Armentrout
P: 703.689.9689 x250
media@parabon.com
