Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2021, $2,596,295)
The Illinois State Police (ISP) is responsible for providing accurate, complete and timely forensic science services to approximately 1,200 law enforcement agencies located throughout the State of Illinois. The ISP forensic science laboratory system is comprised of six operational laboratories that perform forensic analysis of evidence submitted from crime scenes, including a DNA Indexing Laboratory that processes DNA profiles, and a Training and Applications Laboratory composed of the Statewide Training Program and the Research and Development Laboratory. ISP maintains International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 accreditation through the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). The ISP DNA laboratories also undergo external audits in accordance with the DNA Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories set by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In an effort to increase the forensic biology/DNA analytical capacity by processing more samples and reducing the number of cases awaiting analysis on the backlog, the ISP will strategically use funds from the FY 21 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction program to implement the following activities: (1) outsource DNA casework to an accredited contract laboratory, (2) pay overtime to ISP staff directly engaged in processing, screening, recording, analyzing and reviewing forensic biology/DNA evidence, and (3) purchase critical supplies needed for the analysis of forensic biology/DNA evidence. All eligible DNA profiles obtained under this program will be entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and, where applicable, uploaded into the National DNA Index System (NDIS). No profiles generated with funding from this program will be entered into any non-governmental DNA database without the proper approval. Applicable federal privacy requirements will be upheld, and all profiles uploaded to NDIS will follow NDIS DNA Data Acceptance Standards. The proposed overtime will be issued in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Financial Guide. Funding from this program is anticipated to significantly improve and enhance the analytical processing capacity and DNA throughput of the ISP forensic science laboratory system.