BJA FY 2023 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction

Idaho State Police Forensic Services (ISPFS) provides forensic services for approximately 1.8 million people in the state of Idaho.  ISPFS performs all the forensic DNA testing for Idaho, including testing for all sexual assault evidence collection kits.  Idaho has a 121 day average turnaround time for a DNA case with the oldest case in the lab being over 422 days.  There are currently 121 cases that have been in the lab over 30 days and 105 sexual assault kits that have been in the lab longer than 90 days.  In the last five years, the number of DNA requests has dramatically increased.  However, the efficiency of the lab has also increased.  The number of cases completed by the lab last state fiscal year was 1555.  ISPFS is always looking for ways to be more efficient and effective in the DNA unit. 

     ISPFS will continue to build upon the successes in the DNA unit by adding four grant funded state positions and retaining two remote DNA section analysts.  These positions perform analysis, help analyze the data, write reports, and perform technical review for other scientists.  Idaho is growing quickly as one of the fastest growing states in the country.  The state cannot keep up with the number of DNA analyst positions needed in the state. 

    Grant funds will be used to send analysts to training to meet FBI continuing education requirements and to stay current on analysis methods and techniques.  Grant funds will also be used to send three individuals to the BJA required training in 2024.