BJA FY24 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program

Idaho State Police Forensic Services (ISPFS) provides forensic services for approximately 1.94 million people in the state of Idaho. ISPFS performs all the forensic DNA testing for Idaho, including testing for all sexual assault evidence collection kits. Idaho has a 90-day average turnaround time for a DNA case with the oldest case in the lab being over 360 days. Cases are triaged as they are submitted and prioritized based on the needs of the agency and the criminal justice system.

There are currently 75 cases that have been in the lab over 30 days and 85 sexual assault kits that have been in the lab longer than 90 days. In the last five years, the number of DNA requests has dramatically increased. However, the efficiency of the lab has also increased. The number of cases completed by the lab last state fiscal year was 1,430. ISPFS is always looking for ways to be more efficient and effective in the DNA unit.

ISPFS will continue to build upon the successes in the DNA unit by funding four grant funded limited-service state positions and retaining two remote DNA section analysts. These positions perform analysis, help analyze the data, write reports, and perform technical review for other scientists. Idaho is growing quickly as one of the fastest growing states in the country. The state cannot keep up with the number of DNA analyst positions needed in the state.