FY21 DNA Backlog Reduction

The Kansas City Police Crime Laboratory (KCPCL) has experienced remarkable success in sample capacity enhancement with prior NIJ DNA backlog reduction grants. The overarching goals of this project are to increase the number of DNA cases analyzed and reduce the number of cases awaiting testing.  These goals will be achieved through two main objectives: (1) increase the number of DNA cases analyzed (capacity) by 5% and (2) to reduce the time to complete testing (turnaround time) by 10%. The KCPCL intends to meet these goals through employment of six grant-funded examiners and through the purchase and implementation of new equipment and software. Six examiners aid these objectives by significantly adding to the capacity of the Biology section. The purchases will aid these objectives by making the DNA process more efficient, providing consistency within the section, and allowing examiners to devote more of their time to completing cases. The KCPCL is enthusiastic to witness the changes implemented under this grant come to fruition and allow the KCPCL the opportunity to better serve to the citizens of Kansas City and surrounding areas.