Topic: Rapid Dna

Law enforcement in Utah successfully used "Rapid DNA" technology to secure a burglary conviction in just two weeks. The hosts express skepticism about the speed and cost of the technology, comparing it to a "scare tactic" used to coerce confessions, and reiterate warnings against providing DNA to commercial services like 23andMe.

A forensic DNA analyst provides technical details on Rapid DNA instruments currently used by law enforcement. The technology requires high-quality samples like blood or saliva and is less effective for "touch DNA" from door handles or mixed samples. Results from these quick tests are typically used for investigative leads rather than primary evidence in the CODIS database.

A security breach at the genealogy site MyHeritage exposed the email addresses of 92 million users. This news coincides with the implementation of the Rapid DNA Act of 2017, which allows law enforcement to match DNA samples to the FBI's CODIS database in minutes. The EFF has expressed concerns about the accuracy of these rapid tests, particularly in cases involving multiple DNA sources.

A new bill in the House of Representatives proposes allowing police officers to conduct "Rapid DNA" testing in the field rather than in accredited labs. While intended to speed up investigations, the technology raises significant privacy concerns regarding the collection and storage of genetic material without lab oversight. The hosts compare the potential for unreliability to past Silicon Valley tech scams.

John C. Dvorak critiques the "disgusting" lack of realism in the television show *Hawaii Five-O*, specifically regarding tire tread identification and a 105-year-old spy. The discussion shifts to "The Jester," an alleged intelligence asset on Twitter who is promoting an AI-powered unrest predictor. The hosts suspect the predictor is actually a native advertisement for IBM Watson and the show *Mr. Robot*.