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

Funding from this grant will go toward satisfying two ends:  to increase the capacity to perform DNA analysis and upload samples to CODIS, and to reduce the backlog created by uncompleted cases in the Forensic Science Laboratory of the Westchester County New York Division of Forensic Sciences.  The accomplishment of these goals is in line with our pledge to furnish DNA results to investigating agencies in a timely manner.

Our laboratory has been on-line with STR DNA typing since 1999.  In twenty-four years the demands on, and expectations of, all forensic case-working laboratories have intensified such that analytical turn-around time must be greatly reduced and the typing techniques employed must be increasingly more sophisticated.  Currently our laboratory employs nuclear STR typing and Y-STR typing techniques.  We also incorporated probabilistic genotyping into our interpretation. In addition, the new FBI Quality Assurance Standards, which took effect in July 2020, have imposed additional requirements for casework analysis and mixture interpretation.  

In order to maintain pace with evolving trends and national accreditation standards for DNA analysis, our laboratory has several requirements.  Access to new laboratory supplies and equipment, training opportunities and travel funds, as well as the capability to hire temporary laboratory support staff will enable us to reach our goals.  In addition, in order to be in compliance with the FBI bi-annual external audit requirement, we have budgeted for this inspection to be paid for with funding from this grant. The grant funding will enable us to process, record, screen, and analyze forensic DNA samples and upload them to CODIS and further reduce the amount of time required to complete casework.  We anticipate the momentum created by this optimized work flow will reduce future bottlenecks at the examination, analytical, and review stages of casework by substantially minimizing our current backlog.

Because of the N.Y State law mandating testing of all rape kits, we must examine the kits and uploads CODIS eligible DNA profiles  a set time frame. The funding from this grant is especially important in helping us meet those requirements.

With this grant we are requesting funding that would allow us to: continue the trend of providing the most probative case results to the requesting agency in a timely manner, increase our capacity to complete casework, reduce our backlog of “UCR Part 1 Violent Crimes” forensic casework including property crimes and enter more DNA samples into CODIS.