2024 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department Regional Crime Laboratory (Crime Lab) requests funding to implement the FY24 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program. Funding is requested to contract approximately 153 backlogged DNA cases to an approved laboratory for analysis. The laboratory selected for DNA analysis of backlogged evidence will be accredited and meet the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories. The number of cases analyzed will be dependent on the number of swabs selected per case. Cases selected will be from property crimes and other non-violent investigations. The Crime Lab will achieve the program objective of backlog reduction through outsourcing DNA evidence to a contracted laboratory. The additional case output achieved through this project will increase the number of profiles entered into Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Crime Lab staff will focus their efforts on continuing to work evidence in-house, resulting in an overall increase of cases completed, a reduction of DNA case backlog, and an increase in DNA case turnaround time.

Additionally, funds are requested for overtime salary and benefits to allow analysts to select, prepare, and ship cases for analysis; for the DNA Technical Lead to perform an external audit of the laboratory selected for contract analysis; and, for CODIS review of DNA profiles developed from this testing; shipping and handling for case samples being sent to third-party DNA testing lab; and conferences and training.