LVMPD BJA FY 2023 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Criminalistics Bureau Forensic Laboratory Detail is faced with budgetary constraints and case backlogs.  The requested federal funding from the BJA FY 2023 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program in the amount of $1,003,080 is needed for LVMPD to reduce the backlog of Biology/DNA cases and decrease case turnaround time through retaining two full-time DNA forensic laboratory technologists (hired through the 2021 DNA CEBR) to help process, record, and screen cases prior to DNA analysis.  Overtime funds will be used to reimburse costs for forensic scientists who process and review DNA cases in-house. Funds will assist the Biology/DNA Detail to ensure accurate laboratory capabilities through semi-annual pipette calibration and instrument/software maintenance. The grant will aid the agency in fulfilling the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Quality Assurance Standards DNA continuing education requirements by sending DNA staff to conferences.

LVMPD’s Biology/DNA Detail expects to process at least 140 cases in-house with federal-funded overtime.  By utilizing overtime, processing cases in-house will reduce the overall backlog of LVMPD DNA cases, with the goal of reducing case turnaround time by 30 days. An additional 200 cases currently contained in the Biology/DNA backlog are targeted to be processed and screened by two full-time DNA forensic laboratory technologists using grant funding.  This should increase the capacity of the Biology/DNA Detail by an average of five samples per forensic scientist per month.  Grants funds will not only benefit the LVMPD Forensic Laboratory by increasing the turnaround time but will also give law enforcement investigators the advantage of finding suspects in a more expeditious manner to stop the perpetrator from reoffending in the community.

The intended beneficiaries of the LVMPD Forensic Laboratory Biology/DNA Detail, the only accredited publicly funded lab for law enforcement agencies in southern Nevada, and the BJA FY 2023 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program include police agencies and citizens located in Clark County, Esmeralda County, Lincoln County, and Nye County, Nevada.