DNA technology is evolving rapidly and many states are considering whether to expand DNA databases or invest in DNA casework investigations. In order to inform the discussion of these issues, NIJ commissioned an independent study to ascertain the size of and reasons for the nation's backlog of DNA evidence. The resulting report included the list of cases presented here. This list of cases is not exhaustive, does not identify the perpetrator or victim, and is not a reflection on the criminal justice agencies involved. These cases would remain unsolved if not for extraordinary detective work by dedicated criminal justice professionals in these agencies.
Case studies presented on this site are from an NIJ-funded independent study. Points of view or opinions in the resulting report are those of the authors and do not represent the official position or policies of the United States Department of Justice.
FOUR PREVENTABLE RAPES
Between 1995 and 1997, seven rapes were committed against women and young girls across four counties in Arkansas. In at least four of the cases, the victims were assaulted after being stopped by a man posing as a police officer, whom newspapers subsequently dubbed the "Blue Light Rapist."
In 1997, a suspect was identified as the suspected rapist through the assistance of one of his acquaintances who was working with law enforcement. Subsequent DNA testing linked him to several of the rapes, with other evidence and victim descriptions tying in the remaining cases.
Preventable Crime: The suspect had been convicted in 1996 on charges of theft by receiving a stolen rifle. Had the state required a DNA sample for this felony conviction, up to five of the subsequent rapes could have been prevented.
NIJ Funded Study
The cases are from National Forensic DNA Study Report and were developed using basic assumptions. For a full discussion on the review methodology that led to the conclusions presented here, see Section VI. "Forensic DNA and Crime Prevention." The report and case studies were prepared by Smith Alling Lane in partnership with Washington State University through the support of a grant awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice (Grant 2002-LT-BX-K 003). Points of view or opinions in this report are those of the authors and do not represent the official position or policies of the United States Department of Justice.
