FY 2023 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction - Formula

The Houston Forensic Science Center (HFSC) is a uniquely independent laboratory that provides forensic services to the Houston Police Department (HPD), one of the largest police departments in the state of Texas.  As is true for many forensic laboratories, HFSC is challenged to meet customer demand for DNA services and must continuously seek opportunities to streamline laboratory operations, alleviate bottlenecks in the testing process, and increase throughput.  FY 2023 CEBR Formula funding is requested to support HFSC’s overall goals of processing crime scene samples for CODIS entry and increasing the Forensic Biology/DNA section’s capacity to do so going forward.

Specifically, funds will be used to 1) retain grant-funded personnel, 2) outsource casework to an accredited vendor laboratory, 3) contract with a qualified individual to perform DNA technical reviews, 4) renew DNA mixture interpretation software licenses and maintenance agreements, and 5) provide continuing education to Forensic Biology/DNA personnel.  HFSC anticipates that a total of 1,668 cases can be processed, recorded, screened, and/or analyzed with grant funding during the FY 2023 award period – above and beyond what the laboratory can accomplish without CEBR support.