BJA FY24 Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program (CEBR)

The Division of Forensic Science (DFS) is the agency that is responsible for analyzing evidential material associated with criminal investigations for all state and local law enforcement agencies and medical examiners within the state of Delaware. Delaware Code (Title 29, Chapter 47) designates the DFS as the agency responsible for conducting DNA analysis on DNA samples collected by the Delaware Department of Corrections from all convicted felons; the DFS is responsible for storing and maintaining the resultant DNA profiles in the Delaware State DNA Index System. 

The state of Delaware has seen an increase in the number of cases submitted to the DFS-DNA unit for DNA analysis roughly every year (excluding 2014 and 2020) since the early 2000s. Staff is now handling a much higher caseload/analyst than they did over the past five years. For example, between 2019 and 2023 there was a 27 percent increase in cases submitted to the lab for testing.

The DNA unit has had some recent staffing issues that have negatively affected the turnaround time and the backlog. The DNA unit has always attempted to be as efficient as possible to make up for these ongoing, temporary setbacks. With the hiring of a new analyst and the technician, the unit is working to offset these setbacks. With the funds from this grant, the unit expects to achieve the following: decrease the turnaround time and DNA case backlog through the purchasing new equipment and supplies; maintain the zero backlog; and provide the required continuing education needed for each analyst in the unit.

By the end of this award period, The Delaware DFS-DNA Unit can expect to complete at least 300 cases. The agency also expects to process and complete at least 1,250 DNA database samples using funds from this grant. With each analyst increasing their throughput for casework, we expect that the turnaround time will decrease to at least 75 total days and 45 working days.