Welcome to the DNA Resource Center

We are committed to raising awareness about the importance of forensic DNA as a tool to help solve and prevent crime and bring justice to victims.


DNA Answers

For technical assistance regarding forensic DNA and crime victims, email DNAanswers@ncvc.org.


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Individual donations go a long way in ensuring services provided to victims and those who work with victims continue uninterrupted.


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Join the nation's leading resource and advocacy organization for crime victims and those who serve them.


DNA Resource Center Training Opportunities


Past Trainings

Click here for information and materials from past DNA Resource Center training events.

  • Webinars
  • Training Materials
  • Speaker Bios

Upcoming Events


Victim Notification In An Audit of Unprocessed Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Kits: Lessons Learned From the Michigan 400 Project

Join us on December 17, 2012 at 1:30 PM EST


REGISTER HERE


The 400 Project was an OVW-funded project initiated by the Michigan Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention and Treatment Board in early 2010 to determine the scope of work, cost, and likely outcome of forensic analysis of more than 10,000 unresolved sexual assault forensic evidence kits found in the City of Detroit Police Department Crime Lab.  

In this webinar, members of the collaborative 400 Project team will present on the process of initial victim notification as the 400 kits randomly selected for the project were analyzed by the forensic laboratories.  

Participants in this webinar will learn about challenges presented in identifying, locating, and notifying victims in cold cases; possible options for initial contact and notification, and the range of responses to anticipate from victims upon notification. 

Participants will also be provided information on the importance of collaboration among prosecutors, investigators, SANE programs and victim advocates in addressing unprocessed or backlogged SAFE kits.

  • Debi Cain is the Executive Director of the State of Michigan Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention and Treatment Board.  
  • Herb Tanner, J.D., is the Director of the Violence against Women Project at the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan. 
  • Kimberly Hurst is the Executive Director of Wayne County SAFE, a non-profit organization that provides sexual assault medical examinations and supportive services to sexual assault survivors in the City of Detroit and surrounding Wayne County areas.
  • Lore Rogers, J.D., is a staff attorney with the State of Michigan Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention and Treatment Board.

What people are saying . . . 

"I spent 10 years as a law enforcement legal instructor at a police academy and this presentation...would be invaluable to any law enforcement officer."

"I was extremely impressed with the level of expertise of the guest speakers. Each session was well presented, and it was an extreme pleasure to attend."

"I will be a better prosecutor because of this training and my additional understanding of DNA."


Some of the resources in the DNA Resource Center were developed with funding under cooperative agreements 2009-SZ-B9-K010, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice and 2011-TA-AX-K048, awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed herein are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. 

Some of the resources in the DNA Resource Center were also developed with funding from our partner, Life Technologies.