BJA FY 22 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Grant

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Forensic Services Division (FSD) is an accredited crime laboratory under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board (ANAB), a non-profit, non-governmental entity.  The crime laboratory provides forensic services to more than 24 law enforcement agencies within Contra Costa County, servicing over one million residents.  The FY22 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program grant will be used to provide continual salary and fringe benefits for two Forensic Analyst Project (FAP) positions. These full-time, grant funded employees will support the Biology/DNA Unit with specific capacity enhancement activities, such as validating new DNA methods and technologies.  The FAPs serving as a technician will perform DNA casework (process, record, screen and analyze DNA samples) contributing to backlog reduction. The FAPs will also perform reagent preparation, sample set-up, equipment operation, quality assurance and quality control tasks. Grant funds are critical to the performance of the Biology/DNA Unit and allow dedicated staff to focus on method validations and equipment operation, ensuring that DNA samples are efficiently processed through the case management system. In addition, grant funds will be used to purchase DNA chemistries, including DNA purification and amplification kits to accommodate the increased volume of samples being processed as capacity expands. The overall grant objectives are to increase the number of samples analyzed and reduce sample turnaround time. Using FY22 CEBR funds the crime laboratory will be better equipped to meet the needs of the community we serve.