Lake County Crime Laboratory Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Prevention

The Lake County Crime Laboratory (LCCL) is a forensic laboratory performing DNA analysis for criminal investigations. The purpose of this project is to maintain and enhance the capacity of the LCCL’s DNA analysis unit Due to the use of more sensitive DNA testing kits, the LCCL has had great success with touch DNA samples, leading to an increase in DNA analysis requests. The LCCL currently employs two qualified DNA analysts, one of which also holds the position of Laboratory Director, as well as a DNA Technician. It falls to the second qualified analyst to assume most of the DNA caseload. The LCCL must utilize a portion of the 2022 CEBR grant funding to retain the second qualified DNA analyst who has been grant funded in the past. It is imperative that the LCCL retain this analyst in order to maintain compliance with the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories and NDIS requirements to ensure continued use of the CODIS database A portion of the 2022 CEBR grant funding will be utilized to purchase service contracts for current DNA laboratory instrumentation and software maintenance in order to ensure that the laboratory does not experience significant delays due to instrument down time and maintains LIMS access for case documentation and reporting. The remaining portion of the 2022 CEBR grant will be utilized to purchase consumables for sample analysis and validation of new technologies as well as equipment to optimize analysis results.