Sacramento County District Attorney Laboratory of Forensic Services DNA Capacity Enhancement, Analysis, and Backlog Reduction Program - FY2024

The Sacramento County District Attorney Laboratory of Forensic Services (Crime Laboratory) is expected to experience a year in which no new growth requests for positions will be approved for the 2025-2026 fiscal years. In the past several years, the Crime Laboratory has lost three full-time qualified DNA analysts due to retirements or promotions. Despite these challenges, the Crime Laboratory is committed to meeting the Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program (CEBR) goals of increasing the number of Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) eligible samples analyzed and increasing the capacity to process evidence samples. The first goal will be accomplished by continuing the grant funding of one DNA analyst to analyze evidence associated with designated crime cases to increase the number of CODIS eligible samples analyzed which will support a decrease in the laboratory’s DNA backlog. In addition, the Crime Laboratory will use grant funds for three DNA analysts to travel to a national DNA conference to satisfy their continuing education requirements and learn about new DNA innovations, instruments, and technologies.

To fulfill the capacity enhancement goal, the Crime Laboratory’s DNA Technical Lead will be funded by the CEBR grant to perform and oversee validations including the Thermo Fisher Applied Biosystems HID NIMBUS Presto System as well as to oversee the training of one DNA Technician and two DNA Analysts. The ability to increase a laboratory's capacity is based on the implementation of instruments and technology designed to increase efficiency. Integrating newly qualified DNA technicians and analysts into DNA casework will also support the goal of increasing the capacity to process more evidence samples.