FBI Approval Boosts Thermo Fisher's Rapid DNA Tool for Crime Investigations

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO) has received approval from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for its RapidINTEL Plus cartridge used on the RapidHIT ID system for rapid DNA analysis at crime scenes. This approval enables law enforcement agencies to generate DNA profiles from qualifying crime scene samples that can be searched against the national CODIS database within hours, compared to traditional lab methods that take days or weeks.

The Product

The RapidINTEL Plus cartridge is an advanced forensic tool that works with the RapidHIT ID system to analyze DNA from crime scene samples with high accuracy. Its key advantage is speed: it can produce actionable results in under two hours, dramatically accelerating criminal investigations.

Pricing and Availability

Thermo Fisher has not disclosed pricing details yet, but the product is expected to be available immediately to U.S. law enforcement and government agencies following the approval.

Competition

Thermo Fisher faces competition from companies like Applied DNA Sciences and Verogen (a Qiagen subsidiary). However, the FBI approval gives it a strong competitive edge in the government market.

Potential Impact on the Company

The approval is expected to boost Thermo Fisher's revenue from the public safety and forensic sectors and expand its government customer base. It also reinforces the company's leadership in rapid genetic analysis technologies.