Sheriff’s Office Unveils State of Art DNA Collection System…

Sheriff’s Office Unveils State of Art DNA Collection System

According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert M. Maciol, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office is extremely pleased to announce the acquisition of an MVac, DNA collection system. The MVac Unit facilitates the collection of DNA material, previously unable to be collected by traditional DNA collection methods. The MVac system will be utilized for the collection of DNA material associated with criminal investigations conducted by the Oneida County Child Advocacy Center and the Sheriff’s Office Forensic Identification Unit. This system operates in much the same manner as a wet vac, or carpet cleaner. The system utilizes a wet solution sprayed on a surface which is simultaneously vacuumed into a holding reservoir. The collected solution passes through a filter where the DNA material is then preserved. This method allows DNA material to be extracted from within porous regions of objects and materials previously unobtainable by traditional swabbing, cutting, taping, and scraping. This method is also very effective when utilized on human skin. The other advantage to this method is the capability of substantially increasing the quantity of DNA material able to be collected, as well as greatly increasing the ability to collect DNA material from large surface areas.

The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office is one of only two Sheriff’s Offices in the entire state to acquire the MVac DNA collection system. The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office intends to extend the use of this system to other Law Enforcement Agencies in the Central New York region in furtherance of their criminal investigation needs as well.

The MVac DNA collection system was recently purchased by the Sheriff’s Office at a cost of approximately $43,000 using surplus budget monies, due in large part to the continued efforts and support of Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. & the Oneida County Board of Legislators and their commitment to victims of criminal conduct, particularly the most vulnerable in our community - our children.