WILLIAMSON COUNTY – A new DNA forensic tool is being adopted by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office that they say will help them solve crimes.

Sheriff Robert Chody said their office will be the first crime lab in Texas to implement the wet vacuum, M-Vac System.

The tool collects micro-particles using innovative forensic technology, which the sheriff’s office said kicks their current method of collecting DNA with swabs to the curb. The system can accumulate even the smallest amounts of DNA material from rough, porous, and smooth surfaces.

“Our current method of obtaining DNA is scrubbing items with swabs, and though we have yielded good results, this machine can process a larger area much more thoroughly which increases the chances of getting a full DNA profile. If the DNA were left behind, this tool would recover it,” said Jennifer Smith, WCSO crime scene specialist.

Adaptable to any crime scene, Chody said the state-of-the-art technology will also be used to solve cold cases. Additionally, WCSO will partner with other Texas agencies to utilize the M-Vac System.

Training for the new system only takes a few hours.

“Williamson County is taking some big steps in hopes to bring justice to the victims, families, and our communities,” said Chody.