Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2022, $621,890)
The PR Institute of Forensic Sciences is an ASCLD-LAB-, FBI-, ACGME-, FQS-, and NAME-accredited, full-service forensic facility that has served the citizens of Puerto Rico since 1985. It is the only forensic laboratory in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It currently counts with four operational divisions: a) Criminalistics, b) Medico-legal Investigations, c) Forensic Investigations (CSI), and d) Drug Screening and Special Substances Detection (DSSSD). The Puerto Rico Institute of Forensic Sciences seeks with FY2022 DNA CEBR funding, to support the DOJ mission that reads in part, "to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.” It is with this grant that resources can be identified to increase the capacity to work cases significantly, thus, reducing turnaround time and to reduce the number of samples awaiting analysis in both casework and database sections. By using FY2022 CEBR funds for the outsourcing of analysis and ownership review of at least 5,260 database samples and at least 162 cases (sexual assaults, homicides, unidentified human remain identifications) will greatly reduce our database and casework backlog. Funds are also requested for the attendance of four analysts to conferences, scientific sessions, and workshops for continuing education directly related to the DNA & Serology casework and database operation (i.e. Promega and CODIS), which will help improve the laboratory’s scientific knowledge