In an effort to expedite the Brianna Denison search, local law enforcement agencies are appealing to the community for $135,000 in funding to process and compare approximately 3,000 DNA samples to the DNA of the suspect in the case.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Reno Police Department and Washoe County District Attorney’s Office each have contributed $5,000 to the total of $150,000 needed to aid the WCSO Crime Lab. But now they are asking community members to donate to find the missing 19-year-old college student who was abducted on Jan. 20.

“This community has come together to look for everyone’s daughter,” Washoe County Sheriff Mike Haley said. “Brianna Denison has emerged as ‘everyone’s daughter.’ ”

The Crime Lab has been backlogged on 2,875 samples because it does not receive funding for felony DNA tests, and “offenders can’t afford to pay for their own tests,” Haley said.

So, Haley said, Reno citizens Cindy and Greg Carano and Tammy Dermody started a campaign as another means of finding Denison’s abductor.

“It’s another place to look,” said Renee Romero, acting lab director of the Crime Lab.

Romero said a law passed on Oct. 1, 2007, requires that DNA samples are now taken from all convicted felons. Searching through the samples could possibly identify the suspect in Denison’s case.

Although not all samples may be viable, processing them could also assist in solving other crimes, she said.

The Washoe County Crime Lab is one of two laboratories in the state, serving 14 of Nevada’s 17 counties. Currently, it is working in conjunction with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Virginia-based Bode Technology Group, a private laboratory which specializes in forensic DNA analysis, human identification, paternity testing and felon databanking.

Both agencies have agreed to process the entire sample collection within one month. Bode will conduct tests on 1,000 samples at $50 apiece. Las Vegas will work on the remaining 1,875 samples.

The cost for the entire process includes the purchase of chemical supplies, which Bode needs, as well as the tests and personnel time.

“Our staff is working around the clock,” Romero said.

Haley said approaching the community is a necessary step to help solve the case.

“When we can’t reach our goal through normal governmental processes, we reach out to the community,” he said.

Denison’s family members are becoming increasingly anxious to find out if Denison is alive. Ashley Zunino, 19, just five months apart in age from her missing cousin, said she flew in from Santa Monica, Calif. the day following Denison’s disappearance.

“Right now, I don’t know if (the investigation leads) are promising, but it’s better than nothing,” she said.

She said she was grateful for the positive community response, as people are calling with information and conducting searches.

“I wish it didn’t take such a long time (for the samples to come back) – a lot can happen in a month,” Zunino said.

Haley praised a “committed community” for offering help in the Denison family’s time of need. Donations have come in from local organizations and private citizens who are hoping Denison is found alive and well.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Brianna Denison’s family, as well as any other family with a missing person,” Reno Police Chief Michael Poehlman said.

Asked why Denison’s case has received as much publicity in the community as it has, Sheriff Haley said, “Every once in a while, a case emerges that catches the eye and attention of everyone. There’s a certain chemistry.”

Haley said the community has been so focused on finding Denison and said the public has been “doing what is right.”

Dep. Brooke Keast with the WCSO said checks will be accepted for donations. They can be made out to the Honorary Deputy Sheriffs Association and mailed to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office at 911 Parr Blvd., Reno, Nev. 89512. Donations are tax-deductible. Patrons may pick up forms at the WCSO.

For more information, contact Dep. Keast at 771-8252.