FY 2022 CEBR - Baltimore County Maryland

Baltimore County is the third largest subdivision in the State of Maryland, and is home to 849,316 citizens (Census Bureau, Quick Facts, July 2021).  The County’s Police Department provides a comprehensive range of law enforcement services to meet the needs of this large and diverse population, including operation of a State designated crime laboratory.

FY 2022 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program funding is requested to increase the capacity of the crime laboratory to process/analyze more DNA samples, generate increased entries of DNA profiles into CODIS, and generate CODIS matches.  This will decrease delays to the investigative process and decrease the backlog of DNA cases.  The program will increase lab capacity, efficiency, and productivity through short-term direct case analysis activities and long-term capacity enhancement activities. 

Grant funds will be used for procurement of the following:

Equipment:  1) a new CODIS server, backup system storage rack, and support software (SQL Server, backup software and Windows server); 2) a hand-held Crime Lite Auto/UV/VIS with accessories for better evidence visualization; and 3) two LEICA swing arm benchtop stereoscopes, including the optics package and lighting accessory, to enhance examination of evidence for microscopic traces of blood and other trace materials.

Supply Items:  1) Sorvall centrifuges to update aging equipment; 2) a Crime Lite Arm to repair the existing Foster Freeman Crime Lite to enhance efficiency and avoid contamination of evidence; 3) latex and nitrile gloves to protect analysts from potential exposure and evidence contamination; 4) microcon filters used to concentrate DNA in the extraction step, 5)  Smart2Pur water system dispenser, pre-treatment system , and filters for the Lab’s existing water system that creates Type 1 water.

Procurement Contracts:  1) an external FBI CODIS Quality Assurance Audit; 2) outsourcing of backlogged cases; and 3) annual updates for the Lab’s STRmix software.

Other:  1) renewal subscriptions to the Science Direct/Elsevier Journal.

Travel/ Continuing Education:  Registration/ travel/meals/ lodging to attend 1) BJA’s annual 2-day forensic workshops; 2) the FBI’s Technical Leader Summit; 3) Promega’s International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI); 4) Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists’ (MAAFS’) annual meeting; 5) online STRmix Refresher training; and 6) subscriptions to Science Direct/Elsevier Journal.