BJA FY 24 Formula DNA Capacity Enchantment for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Scientific Services Bureau has provided forensic DNA analysis support to law enforcement agencies within its jurisdiction for nearly three decades. With the consistent advancements in forensic DNA analysis technologies over the years, so have there been a continued increase in DNA casework service requests. To better manage this demand, grant funding is essential to reduce turnaround times of case samples for the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) entry and to reduce casework backlog. The primary activities of the project include grant funding going towards: procuring laboratory supplies needed for the analysis of forensic DNA casework samples for inclusion in CODIS; procuring laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and associated computer hardware needed for the forensic DNA laboratory; training for forensic DNA casework analysts to satisfy the continuing education requirements of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Quality Assurance Standards; procuring computer software needed for the analysis of DNA mixture interpretation profiles; and personnel overtime for the analysis of forensic DNA casework samples for CODIS entry. Through the implementation of these activities funded by the grant, the bureau anticipates that the expected outcomes of the project include a reduction in DNA casework backlog and turnaround time.