BJA FY 21 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program-Suffolk County, NY

The Suffolk County Crime Laboratory is part of a local government municipality and conducts DNA analysis on forensic evidence samples.  The Bureau of Justice Assistance FY2021 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program is intended to reduce and/or prevent a backlog of the number of forensic DNA samples awaiting analysis from forensic evidence submitted to the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory Biological Sciences Section.  In addition, the program is intended to increase the throughput of forensic DNA casework samples. These objectives will be addressed in two ways.  The long-term objective will be achieved by funding next-level automated equipment that is utilized for the extraction of forensic DNA casework samples and can process 24 samples simultaneously. Updated software for the analysis of forensic DNA samples will also be purchased. The updated software processes, analyzes, and translates information for the generation of DNA profiles that may be entered into CODIS.  This will allow us to maintain and expand capacity to analyze forensic DNA samples.  The short-term objective will be achieved by funding the employment of two contract employees.  The analysts will assist in the screening of mandated “test all” Sexual Offense Evidence Collection Kits as well as the backlogged biological evidence from criminal investigations, such as property crimes. The contract employees have a positive impact in reducing the number of these types of cases, as well as preparing samples for subsequent analysis. The samples processed by these analysts will then undergo DNA analysis and the resulting DNA profiles will be entered into the CODIS DNA Database.  This may ultimately lead to CODIS hits that can solve these cases. In addition, funding will be utilized to purchase expendable commercially prepared supplies for analysis of the forensic DNA samples generated. These supplies include DNA kits utilized for the extraction, quantitation and amplification of forensic samples.