West Chester, Pa. (October 14, 2026) – The Chester County Detectives were recently awarded state funding for supplies necessary to maintain their local DNA database, thanks to the work of state Senator Carolyn Comitta.
“This investment will support the Chester County Detectives and law enforcement officers throughout the county in using DNA technology to prevent crime, hold offenders accountable, and bring closure to victims and their families,” Comitta said.
The grant funding, made available through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, included:
- $23,000 for Buccal Swabs for the Coatesville Police Department.
- $27,000 for Buccal Swabs for the Chester County Detectives.
“Effective investigations depend on having the right resources to collect and analyze any evidence left behind at crime scenes. Bode DNA technology provides our law enforcement partners with an important forensic tool that can help connect evidence to individuals and advance investigations. We thank Senator Carolyn Comitta for her investment in this technology and her commitment to providing our investigators and prosecutors with resources that strengthen our ability to pursue justice and keep our communities safe,” said Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe.
“Chester County law enforcement serves our communities best when we coordinate our efforts and resources. By partnering with the District Attorney’s Office and the Chester County Detectives with the Bode DNA Technology program, we achieve this goal through efficient crime scene analysis and processing. The funding assistance provided through Senator Comitta’s Office will be instrumental in maximizing the availability of this forensic investigative tool, thereby benefiting all of our communities,” said Coatesville Police Chief John Laufer.
Forensic DNA analysis plays a critical role in modern criminal investigations. In 2023, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office acquired a Rapid DNA instrument to expedite DNA testing and help solve crimes faster, including assaults, homicides, and property crimes.
Through Rapid DNA programs, expedited outsourcing of high-priority cases, and advanced techniques such as forensic genetic genealogy, investigators can now identify perpetrators of serious and violent crime with greater speed and precision.
Police officers across Chester County are trained on the equipment, which, in some cases, can eliminate or identify suspects within 90 minutes. Previously, those results could have taken months due to a backlog at the state crime lab. In addition, the Chester County Detectives partner with neighboring counties to share DNA samples in their investigations.
The Chester County Detectives division is the investigative arm of Chester County’s chief law enforcement officer, the District Attorney. The Chester County Detectives assist prosecutors in investigating and trying major crimes, including homicides, complex drug investigations, child abuse, sex crimes, political corruption, and white-collar fraud. The division has jurisdiction throughout Chester County.
The Chester County Detectives also assist other law enforcement agencies with complex investigations, coordinate police training across Chester County, and act as a critical link between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
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