Continued support for full-time DNA scientist and additional forensic scientist to reduce the current DNA case backlog and build capacity for new case requests.

The city of Scottsdale’s most reported crimes are property crimes.  To assist in identifying suspects that may be involved in many of the property crimes reported throughout the city, the crime laboratory processes evidence for DNA, often times leading to a suspect.  However, the there has been a significant increase in DNA analysis requests due to new Arizona laws and increased evidence collection by detectives when investigating crimes against persons. This has not only stalled the processing of evidence for DNA in property crimes but has also resulted in a backlog of person crimes samples to be tested. 

Requested grant funds would continue to support a DNA Forensic Scientist who is tasked with processing backlogged DNA cases.  Grant funds will also allow the crime laboratory to hire an additional Forensic Scientist to process and prepare DNA cases for analysis.  Additionally, maintenance agreements for equipment used to analyze DNA cases, as well as, continued education training for Forensic Scientists will be supported by grant funds.  Funds will also be used to purchase two (2) automated robotic extraction instruments that can process sexual assault large volume touch samples.  The goal of the program is to reduce the backlog and increase the case turn-around time.