ISP 2022 DNA CEBR Grant

INDIANA STATE POLICE

BJA FY 2022 DNA CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT

for

BACKLOG REDUCTION (CEBR) PROGRAM

PROPOSAL ABSTRACT

Project Goals and Objectives

The goal of this proposal is to present a plan that will improve the DNA case turnaround time, reduce the DNA backlog and enhance the DNA analysis capacity of the Indiana State Police (ISP) Laboratories.  The ISP lab-wide goal is to provide a 45 day turnaround time for 90% of our cases.

The objective is to use a multifaceted approach to achieve these goals. 

The ISP is the agency that is responsible for analyzing evidentiary material associated with criminal investigations for all state and local law enforcement agencies within the state of Indiana with the exception of Indianapolis/Marion County.  Funding from this grant will impact the entire state of Indiana.

The ISP is facing budgetary constraints.  State funds for positions, overtime, equipment, supplies, training and contracts is non-existent or very limited.  This has placed a burden on the Laboratory Division to maintain operations.  The Federal funding from this award will help to alleviate this burden as well as assist in giving analysts more time and supplies to work forensic casework.  This award will be specifically used for the following goals:

1. Reduce the backlog and turnaround time of forensic biology cases.

2. Increase the analytical capabilities of the ISP casework laboratories.

3. Maintain continuing education for all analysts in the lab.

Project Design

The Indiana State Police Laboratory has developed a comprehensive DNA backlog reduction program that uses overtime, equipment, supplies and training to impact the DNA backlog and reduce DNA case turnaround time.

Grant funds will be used to continue funding for two forensic technicians to support casework analysis, for casework overtime, and to purchase supplies for analysis of forensic biology cases.  The ISP expects to analyze 2,000 forensic biology cases using funds from this grant.

Equipment will be purchased to outfit a new ISP Evansville Regional Laboratory that should be under construction in 2023 and to replace older equipment in disrepair.

Travel, Contracts and Other funds will provide training and continuing education for all DNA analysts and supervisors.  This will help ISP keep abreast of new developments in forensic DNA analysis. Training also invigorates analysts, leading to improved efficiency and case turnaround times.  An external DNA audit will be conducted in 2023 to ensure continued compliance with national quality assurance standards.