Genetic fingerprinter

Paul B. Ferrara, 68, passed away in his Chesterfield County home on Monday. His wife said he died of cancer complications.

Ferrara is known as a pioneer of DNA use by utilizing it to fight crime, and was the director of the state Department of Forensic Science. Before he became a well-known scientist, he was a professor of forensic science at Virginia Commonwealth University.

"He was always a very forward-thinking individual," said Peter Marone, the current director of the forensics department. "I think he could see the obvious use of it (DNA testing) in the future. I don't know a single person that does not think highly of Paul. That's something to say."

During the mid-80s, Ferrara and his colleagues discovered the use of "genetic fingerprinting," and knew they had struck gold. In September 1987, a private New York laboratory, Lifecodes, offered to train two of Mr. Ferrara's scientists so Virginia could open the first state DNA laboratory in the country. In March 1989, Virginia opened the first state DNA laboratory to perform DNA fingerprinting. They also recorded all previously convicted sexual offenders.

Their first victory came in 1994, with a fingerprint match from their database generating a conviction. Their methods have continued to catch criminals, as well as freeing those who were wrongly convicted.

"It was his extraordinary vision that made him outstanding. He was a very decent person, too," Dr. Marcella Fierro, who retired as the state medical examiner in 2008, said in an interview Wednesday."

Ferrara retired in 2006 after 21 years at the Department of Forensics Science.

"The DNA databank program, which I must admit being very proud of, has revolutionized forensic science," Ferrara said after his retirement. "But I think I'm proudest of the people, the staff. There's a legacy there that will survive."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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