Central Texas law enforcement agencies are embracing a groundbreaking DNA collection technology, the M-Vac System, to revitalize cold case investigations. This innovative tool, which acts like a specialized vacuum, promises to extract significantly more usable DNA from challenging evidence, offering new hope for solving long-unanswered crimes.
New DNA Technology Arrives in Central Texas
Local and state law enforcement agencies in Central Texas are undergoing training on the M-Vac System, a cutting-edge DNA collection device. This technology utilizes a spray and suction method to retrieve DNA, proving particularly effective on evidence where traditional swabbing techniques have failed to yield results. The Bell County Sheriff’s Office is the first in the region to host this machine, acquired through a federal grant.
How the M-Vac System Works
The M-Vac System operates similarly to a carpet cleaner, spraying a sterile solution and simultaneously vacuuming it. This process creates a "mini hurricane" effect, capable of collecting substantially more DNA than conventional methods.
- It can collect 10, 20, or even 30 times more DNA than a standard swab.
- It is designed to enhance investigations where other techniques have been unsuccessful, rather than replace them.
Impact on Cold Cases
The M-Vac System has already demonstrated its effectiveness in solving high-profile cold cases across the country. One notable example involved a 30-year-old unsolved case in Illinois where a victim’s DNA profile was successfully obtained from underwear, despite the evidence being submerged in water for weeks.
Corey Powell of the Bell County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the significance of this new tool, stating, "Basically it’s another tool that we didn’t have." He added that the goal is to provide the best possible evidence to the crime lab to identify offenders and bring closure to victims’ families.
Future Use and Collaboration
The Bell County Sheriff’s Office anticipates deploying the M-Vac System on both active and cold case evidence as early as July. Agencies will send their filtered samples to the Waco DPS lab for processing, aiming for clearer DNA profiles and new investigative leads. Agencies participating in the two-day training include:
- Waco Police
- Temple Police Department
- Killeen Police Department
- Texas Rangers
- DPS crime lab (Waco)
This collaborative effort signifies a renewed commitment to solving long-standing mysteries and delivering justice in Central Texas.
Sources
