BJA FY 2021 Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Crime Laboratory (SLMPD) has a backlog of cases at the DNA analysis level that could be partially alleviated by hiring 2 full-time DNA analysts, the implementation of a liquid handling robot, the addition of a differential wash station, and a new microscope.  The SLMPD is requesting $385,337 from the DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program FY2021, which is the amount allocated to them from the total allocation to the State of Missouri. The overall goals and objectives of this program will be to reduce the number of untested forensic casework samples, to enter eligible profiles into CODIS and obtain hits, and to prosecute the suspects. This will be accomplished by hiring two full-time grant-funded employees and overtime for grant funded and department funded employees. One full-time employee has already been hired for the 2020 grant, but the second will need to be identified and hired.  Both will undergo training at the laboratory.  By increasing throughput and creating a more efficient laboratory through the purchase of a liquid handling instrument and the differential wash station along with hiring additional employees and funding overtime, it is expected that at least 385 cases will undergo DNA analysis and, where appropriate, eligible profiles will be uploaded into CODIS when obtained, and suspects will be prosecuted when possible.