Collaborating with experienced FSSPs was instrumental as their insights, experiences, and lessons learned from previous mass disaster deployment efforts directly informed the development of materials for inclusion in this toolkit. Their feedback highlighted critical areas for improvement — such as deployment roles and descriptions and programmable databases for evidence and sample tracking — that allowed this toolkit to be designed in a comprehensive, practical, and adaptable manner to ensure its applicability for diverse disaster types and FSSP structures.

One key development phase of this toolkit was conducting a gap analysis with FSSPs experienced in deploying Rapid DNA technology for use in DVI efforts, through which these key areas of improvement were identified. Using findings from this gap analysis, a suite of targeted tools was designed for inclusion in this toolkit to enhance considerations pertaining to deployment strategy, infrastructure, sustainable documentation, collaboration, and training. Considering each of these key areas of improvement, the following provides information regarding the current state as informed through findings from the gap analysis, the responsive tools representing a partial snapshot of materials included within this toolkit, and the desired state which demonstrates how these responsive tools are intended to improve upon the current state and assist in attaining the desired state of practice.

Through engagement with early adopters and FSSPs experienced in deploying Rapid DNA technology for DVI events, the toolkit development team gathered valuable insights on the challenges faced before, during, and after deployment. Early adopter engagement also enabled the identification of processes and workflows for general response and sample processing, resource gaps, and lessons learned from firsthand experiences. The toolkit development team was tasked with synthesizing this diverse information to develop materials that would be of utility for a variety of disaster and FSSP types to build the strongest, most impactful materials possible. However, acknowledging that each deployment effort has its own unique circumstances and each FSSP may operate differently (e.g., due to structure or existing policies), the development team was committed to ensuring these materials provided end users full adaptability, which deviates from traditional FTCOE resources. Furthermore, we wanted to make these materials as fit-for-purpose as possible by accounting for FSSPs who may desire to interact with them via digital versions versus printed copies, recognizing that in some circumstances digital use may not be an option as some disaster types, or even lack of access to resources, may dictate the need to work strictly via hardcopies. For those FSSPs choosing to, or having the ability to, utilize these materials in a digital manner, the toolkit development team worked to ensure that these versions were as interactive as possible (e.g., the inclusion of notetaking lines that expand as text is added, placement of interactive checkboxes to reduce the need to write information that could be turned into multiple choice-style options).

While observing this large-scale exercise, the toolkit development team noted the alignment between the toolkit’s materials and the execution of the exercise, affirming the practicality of the toolkit. The key takeaways from this exercise emphasized the need for strong relationships among collaborators (both internal and external), a comprehensive inventory with pre-packaged supplies, established workflows for testing and tracking samples, and adequate training; all of which are addressed in the forthcoming Rapid DNA Mass Disaster Emergency Response and Preparedness Toolkit.

Additionally, this toolkit is designed to support LIMS integration. FSSPs can generate unique identifiers and barcodes for each sample through their LIMS, which could then be tracked through the Evidence and Sample Documentation Tracking Spreadsheet offered as a resource in this toolkit. This type of integration could enable efficient evidence and sample tracking across the collection, intake, testing, and transport lifecycle thereby eliminating the need to manage multiple, dispersed recordkeeping components both during and after deployment, enhancing sustainable documentation practices.

Given the intrinsic nature of disasters, there is inherent unpredictability. As such, in developing this toolkit, the toolkit development team made a conscious effort to ensure materials were developed such that they would maintain applicability and usability within a variety of disaster types, from natural disasters to aviation incidents or infrastructure failings. Additionally, the materials contained within this toolkit are intended to support all aspects of a deployment effort from pre-, during, to post-deployment phases. This toolkit aims to support response efforts in a manner that enables immediate utilization in the event of a disaster for those FSSPs who may not have an existing response plan developed, or aids in adoption and adaptation by FSSPs who are currently working through developing a toolkit of their own or thinking through preparedness plans and exercises. Regardless of the use case, the toolkit development team hopes that this toolkit, at minimum, provides FSSPs a foundational platform to discuss and think through their response plan and all the various considerations involved in mobilizing Rapid DNA technology for DVI efforts in the event they are called to respond to a disaster scenario.

The forthcoming Rapid DNA Mass Disaster Emergency Response and Preparedness Toolkit will be published on the FTCOE website via the following link: https://forensiccoe.org/2024-toolkit-rapid-dna-emergency/, with the goal to have the final toolkit release by the end of 2024. Notification of its release will be announced via the FTCOE’s weekly newsletter, which you can sign-up for via the following link: https://forensiccoe.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ca2aac5081696c707e749d996&id=32592f10b8, as well as through all FTCOE social media outlets. All FTCOE resources are available to the public at no cost, meaning that any and all FSSPs, law enforcement agencies, others involved or who support the forensic ecosystem, or those who are simply interested will have full access to this toolkit to view as a resource or adopt and implement it into practice!