Efficiency and Quality Improvements at the Union County Prosecutor's Office Forensic Laboratory

Efficiency and Quality Improvements at the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Forensic Laboratory

The Union County Prosecutor’s Office Forensic Laboratory is seeking funds to improve the efficiency of the laboratory, as well as advance the quality system of the testing performed. The Laboratory has been steadily decreasing the backlog of cases that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are critical components that can help ensure the efficiency of the workflow in the Forensic Biology section.

The UCPO Forensic Laboratory seeks grant funding to establish a new quality management system, Qualtrax, to assist with streamlining the process of maintaining manuals, training documentation, and corrective actions. The Laboratory is also requesting funds to hire a full-time LIMS administrator, who would manage the LIMSplus and LIMSplus DNA software programs and optimize the efficiency of this new workflow. The Laboratory also seeks continued funding to support one full-time DNA analyst and one full-time laboratory technician in the processing, reporting, and review of DNA casework. The ability to use these staff members in their current capacity is vital to the success of the project goals. The UCPO Forensic Laboratory is also requesting funding to purchase an additional quantitation instrument to increase capacity. In addition, overtime funds are requested to allow for all staff to dedicate additional time to backlogged cases, as well as funding for additional supplies to process the cases.