Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2024, $278,472)
Jefferson County Regional Crime Laboratory (JCRCL) is the agency responsible for analyzing evidence from criminal investigations in Jefferson County, Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Golden, and other municipalities within Jefferson County, Colorado. The Forensic Biology section of the JCRCL is responsible for conducting serological examinations and DNA analysis on evidence collected from crime scenes from jurisdictions within Jefferson County.
The JCRCL has faced budget shortfalls while continually facing an increase in DNA case submissions. Monies awarded in prior years have allowed the JCRCL to drastically reduce the number of backlogged cases and substantially decrease the turnaround time for the completion of DNA cases. The federal funding from this award will allow the JCRCL Forensic Biology section a way to continue to reduce the number of backlogged cases and to reduce the turnaround time for completion of DNA cases. Additionally, this award will allow the JCRCL to upgrade laboratory genotyping equipment (SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer). Once validated, the upgraded equipment will allow for faster throughput during the DNA genotyping process. This award will specifically be used toward reaching the following goals: reduce the number of backlogged forensic biology cases; reduce the turnaround time for completion of forensic biology cases; upgrade laboratory equipment to the SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer for the genotyping process; and provide all DNA analysts with required continuing education.
The Forensic Biology section of the JCRCL hopes to decrease the turnaround time for completion of cases to 45 days or less (currently it is 60 days), reduce the number of backlogged cases with a target of no more than 90 cases that are greater than 30 days old, and upgrade laboratory genotyping equipment.