DNA Backlog Reduction Grant- Statewide Impact

The New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory (NHSPFL) is the sole provider of forensic services in the State of New Hampshire. The laboratory’s Forensic Biology Unit performs all serological and DNA analyses associated with criminal investigations in the state. The Forensic Biology Unit is also responsible for the analysis and entry of offender and casework samples into the CODIS database. 

The NHSPFL is experiencing hardship related to aging equipment, limited space with no ability to expand, and continuing budgetary limitations. The Federal funding from this award will be used for the following goals:

Maintain and make improvements to the turnaround time for forensic biology casework
Reduce the current DNA database backlog and make significant improvements to turnaround time of samples for CODIS entry
Ensure continuity of operations
Ensure continuing adherence to the FBI’s Quality Assurance Standards
Replace permanently out of service equipment as well as equipment that is aging toward failure
Improve efficiency by converting interpretation software to a license server available on all analysts desktops with DNA analysis software
Reconfigure and remodel DNA laboratory layout to better fit new instrumentation, better utilize the space for analysis, and increase the square footage in the post-amplification area.

It is expected that a minimum of 350 forensic biology cases and 1,000 database samples will be analyzed in-house utilizing grant funds.  The laboratory will maintain its compliance with the FBI's DNA Quality Assurance Standards.  All CODIS eligible profiles, both casework and databasing, will be entered into the DNA database.