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

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), as mandated by Chapter 943 Florida Statutes, operates a statewide forensic crime laboratory system to provide timely, expert, and professional examination of evidentiary materials to aid in the investigation, prosecution, and/or exclusion of criminal offenses in the state of Florida. The biology and DNA needs of Florida’s criminal justice community are serviced by a network of FDLE laboratories and five local laboratories that comprise the Florida crime laboratory system. FDLE operates six laboratories, accredited to international standards for quality, that provide biology and DNA analysis services.

The heavy demand for Biology services continued in 2023, with over 14,000 Biology service requests completed. 

With funding provided under this award, the FDLE plans to reduce the pending age of submissions awaiting testing, leading to an overall reduction in the forensic DNA case backlog, and to increase laboratory capacity and enhance DNA throughput of case working labs.

To reduce the DNA case backlog and increase laboratory capacity, the FDLE will fund overtime to be used for in-house casework, as well as outsource casework to private accredited laboratories. DNA analysis throughput will be increased by funding overtime for laboratory personnel and employing six full time Forensic Technologists, Crime Laboratory Technicians, and Administrative Assistants for case management. Without these positions, case management duties to include triage and general administrative support would fall to case working analysts, which would then negatively impact throughput and capacity. The FDLE will purchase essential consumables for DNA testing and entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), as well as fund required training for analyst trainees and continuing education for qualified analysts. Funding for equipment to replace or add to validated platforms is requested to continue the agency’s goal of laboratory capacity enhancement.

By focusing the project on personnel costs, training, supplies, equipment, and the outsourcing of casework, the FDLE hopes to greatly improve the timeliness and quality of forensic services while addressing and preventing an increased backlog of biology casework.