Pinellas County's Competitive CEBR

The Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory (PCFL) performs DNA analyses of evidentiary materials for the law enforcement agencies operating in Pinellas County, Florida and for the District Six Medical Examiner which serves Pinellas and Pasco counites. DNA analysis request are accepted for both violent and non-violent crimes. Multiple years of increasing DNA submissions has resulted in an average turnaround time greater than 30 days. Approximately 65% of DNA requests are in association with property crimes.  By their nature, these requests commonly require the submission of multiple elimination samples from people whose DNA may be present, but unassociated to the crime (homeowners, routine occupants of vehicles, etc.) Analysis of these samples is necessary to establish CODIS eligible profiles.  A more streamlined process to allow for the analysis of known samples (elimination samples and suspect samples) by using Rapid DNA could significantly improve workflow efficiency.   PCFL will use 2023 DNA CEBR (competitive) funds to address this process through the acquisition, validation, and implementation of a NDIS approved Rapid DNA system for the analysis of known samples.