Case Backlog Reduction Program

The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) is responsible for analyzing evidence associated with criminal investigations for the city and county of Honolulu. The HPD maintains the only DNA laboratory in the state of Hawaii and as a result is also responsible, by statute, for the state’s convicted offender databasing program and testing sexual assault kits for other jurisdictions in the state. The HPD does not receive state funding to maintain the offender database. Casework testing is offered free of charge because many law enforcement agencies do not have the means to pay for services. Through Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction grant funding, the HPD has been able to continue offering free DNA testing services to agencies in need.

Project activities include hiring DNA criminalists, processing casework samples using overtime funding, purchasing reagents for casework and database analysis, and providing continuing education to staff. Expected outcomes include the analysis of 250 sexual assault kits, 180 property crime requests, and 1,000 database samples.