FY22 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)

The Denver Police Department (DPD) Crime Laboratory serves the City and County of Denver by using forensic technology to solve crime, thereby increasing public safety. The DPD Crime Laboratory Forensic Biology and DNA (FBIO-DNA) Unit seeks federal support to achieve its four main goals: decrease the Unit’s case backlog, increase the number of forensic samples analyzed by the Unit, fulfill FBI QAS Continuing Education requirements, and reduce the Unit’s turn-around times for forensic casework.

The first goal to decrease the Unit’s case backlog will be achieved by providing forensic scientists overtime to conduct forensic DNA casework. The second goal to increase the number of forensic samples analyzed by the Unit will be achieved by continuing the employment of two forensic scientists, a laboratory technician, and an administrative support assistant and by hiring a subcontractor for DNA analysis. The third goal to fulfill FBI QAS Continuing Education requirements for the Unit’s analysts will be achieved by sending analysts to three external conferences, an external statistical training course, a CEBR training workshop, and hosting a statistical training seminar for DNA analysts. Finally, the fourth goal to reduce the Unit’s turn-around times will be achieved by purchasing an additional license for probabilistic genotyping software, and replacing laboratory instruments in the laboratory workspace.

By implementing these measures, the DPD Crime Laboratory will target a significant backlog of all case types (including property crimes, sexual assaults and homicides) and comply with national quality assurance standards.