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Grant Aids DNA Tests For Cold Cases In Hillsborough

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 22, 2008

TAMPA - The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has received a $500,000 grant to help use DNA testing to solve cold cases, Maj. Harold Winsett said.

Deputies learned last week they received the 18-month grant through the U.S. Department of Justice. The grant is effective Oct. 1.

"It's a significant benefit to us," Winsett said.

Deputies will use some of the money to hire a person to look through cold cases for items that can be tested for DNA. Deputies examine cold cases now, but there isn't a person who looks only for DNA, Winsett said.

"It's another body to say, 'OK, evidence has been seized in this case that can go straight to the lab,' " he said.

The majority of funds, however, will be used to send items to private laboratories for DNA testing. Deputies send many items to the state Department of Law Enforcement for DNA testing, but getting results generally takes longer than from a private lab.

DNA from several hundred violent crimes, such as sexual battery or homicide, will now likely be sent to private labs, Winsett said.

Deputies know of about 150 homicides resulting in cold cases – including one from 1956.

This was the first time the sheriff's office has applied for this Department of Justice grant, Winsett said.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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