(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania State Police is expanding its Rapid DNA program to municipal police departments, giving local agencies faster access to forensic testing. 

Officials said Rapid DNA technology can generate a DNA profile from a qualifying sample in as little as 90 minutes, allowing investigators to identify or rule out suspects earlier in an investigation. 

Since launching the program last year, PSP said it has processed more than 350 samples, developing 190 DNA profiles and generating 163 matches that have assisted investigations. 

The expanded access will allow municipal departments to submit evidence in cases such as homicides, assaults and burglaries, helping speed up investigations and suspect identification.