DNA testing usually needs 24–72 hours. A new lab-on-a-chip device could change that thanks to work by a US-UK team. Their device can copy and analyze DNA from mouth swab samples and give a result cross-matched quickly against the UK DNA database within four hours.

The system is based on a fluidic cartridge-based device built using the principle of closed architecture reduces the risk of sample contamination. It performs DNA extraction, amplification, resolution and detection using laser induced fluorescence. The team suggests that device optimization could make a DNA test possible in 2–3 h.

• Integrated Microfluidic System for Rapid Forensic DNA Analysis: Sample Collection to DNA Profile
  A. J. Hopwood, C. Hurth, J. Yang, Z. Cai, N. Moran et al.,
  Anal. Chem. 2010, 82.
  DOI: 10.1021/ac101355r