Technology Can Keep Cases Hot
DNA and advancements in detective training are enabling the nation’s police departments to solve more murder cases. Det. Lt. Dennis Farrell, head of Nassau’s Homicide Squad, notes that these improvements have increased opportunities to make arrests in difficult cases, which police typically were pessimistic about solving when an arrest was not made within 72 hours.
The amount of DNA required to investigate crimes has decreased substantially since the beginning of last decade. Joseph Pollini, a professor at New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice, adds that the state has a database of DNA samples taken from prisoners.
Nevertheless, some cases still prove difficult, as illustrated by the shooting death of 17-year-old Ebony Ponce. Ponce, who had recently switched schools, was shot at a traffic light at the beginning of this month. Police have uncovered no motive for the killing, but are hopeful that someone with information about the crime will contact them.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from New York Newsday (09/24/06); Armario, Christine; Epstein, Reid J.
