SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTING COUNTYWIDE RAPID DNA FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
NEWS from the Shelby County Mayor’s Office
Lee Harris, Mayor
Vasco A. Smith, Jr., Administration Building
11th Floor, 160 North Main, Memphis, Tennessee 38103
MEDIA ADVISORY
AUGUST 24, 2026
Tia M. Jackson
Communications Specialist
Mobile: 901.484.1161
Office: 901.222.2011
Email: [email protected]
SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTING COUNTYWIDE RAPID DNA FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
WHO: Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy
WHAT: Community Update on Countywide Rapid DN
WHEN: Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: 160 N. Main St., Memphis, TN, 38103, 5th Floor Richards Conference Room
Shelby County, TN – On Tuesday, August 25, at 3:00 p.m., Shelby County Government officials will provide the community with an update on the next steps for implementing Rapid DNA and expanding digital forensics capabilities in Shelby County. Rapid DNA technology can generate a DNA profile from a mouth swab in as little as 90 minutes, compared with the weeks or months that traditional DNA processing can require. The technology has the potential to reduce forensic backlogs, help identify suspects more quickly, and support law enforcement in solving cases more efficiently.
Shelby County is stepping into the next generation of forensic technology is a key goal of this initiative and an important investment in public safety. The Shelby County Commission approved $1.5 million in this year’s budget to expand forensic capacity. This includes buying the rapid DNA machines and staffing the central command.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris: “Public safety is a shared priority, and ensuring law enforcement has the tools they need to solve crimes more efficiently can help reduce the challenges and pressures they face. Rapid DNA technology will not only help close cases faster but will also position Shelby County at the forefront of forensic innovation.”
Steve Mulroy, District Attorney of Shelby County: “Rapid DNA will help law enforcement develop leads, eliminate suspects, and generally solve more crimes, more quickly. Increasing our Solve Rate is the single most important thing we need to do to continue the downward crime trend we’ve enjoyed these past three years. Shelby County government should be proud it’s on the forefront among Tennessee counties in advancing this cutting-edge technology.”
(End of Release)
Warm regards,
Tia M. Jackson
Communications Specialist
Shelby County Mayor’s Office
160 N. Main Street, Suite 1100
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
O: (901) 222-2011
C: (901) 484-1161
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