Hampden DA sets DNA unit to boost evidence testing

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) - Hampden County's district attorney has established a DNA unit to get the best forensic evidence tested and processed quickly.

The Republican reports that DA Mark Mastroianni's office has been looking at several older, unsolved murders to see if they have forensic evidence which could help solve a case if they are retested with newer methods.

Mastroianni says establishing the DNA unit was not prompted by a specific case, but is to streamline the evidence process.

He says the unit's work will to develop a DNA database for his office's cases that would be linked to the state forensics lab and other state and national criminal databases..

Cox Media Group