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TBI Seeks Tech and Rapid‑DNA Funding as It Expands Cyber and Forensic Capacity
Summary
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation asked the committee for staff and technology investments — including rapid‑DNA scientists, IT security, and storage for very large digital evidence seizures — citing recent successes reducing lab backlogs and identifying victims in a mass‑fatality event.
Deputy Director Brad Nean told lawmakers that recent investments have helped TBI shrink laboratory backlogs and increase the bureau’s ability to handle digital evidence and cybercrime. The bureau requested seven additional support positions (HR, IT, administrative assistant for West Tennessee Crime Lab, a Tennessee Dangerous Drug Task Force coordinator, two training positions and a records/tyers liaison) to support growing operational staff.
TBI emphasized the growing scale of digital evidence: agents once seized tens of gigabytes; recent major cases have included seizures of 60 terabytes of data in a single matter. To process that volume and protect sensitive systems, TBI asked for additional non‑STS IT funding for storage, endpoint protection and cyber‑security improvements that fall outside the centralized state IT perimeter.
TBI also proposed a rapid‑DNA unit with three scientists in each lab region and kiosks to provide local agencies near‑real‑time DNA identification. Deputy Director Nean described the application of rapid DNA at the recent AES explosion (Humphre County), where rapid testing supported identification efforts and helped the bureau identify numerous victims more quickly than traditional lab timelines.
Committee members asked TBI to detail the non‑STS IT needs and how AI might safely accelerate complex investigations. TBI said it is piloting AI-assisted tools to speed internet‑crimes‑against‑children processing and other time‑consuming tasks while maintaining security and oversight.
What happens next: The committee will consider TBI’s requests including rapid‑DNA staffing and non‑STS IT spending during the overall budget deliberations. TBI will provide additional technical details to the committee as requested.
Representative‑level quote: Deputy Director Nean said of rapid DNA in mass‑fatality response, "It has given answers to people that would be unimaginable without that."
