Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2024, $339,842)
The DuPage County Forensic Science Center (DCFSC) is a forensic science laboratory that analyzes evidence items from approximately 40 law enforcement agencies within DuPage County, Illinois. The DNA Section is a National DNA Index System (NDIS) participating laboratory and offers DNA analysis of casework samples utilizing short tandem repeats (STRs) and short tandem repeat on the Y-chromosome (Y-STRs). The DCFSC has identified challenges in their pursuit to process casework samples for entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) with a reasonable turnaround time. In order to ensure sustainability of capacity, it is necessary to replace aging equipment and provide supplies to enable analysis of both violent and non-violent cases. Another challenge is keeping the lab adequately staffed. The analysis of casework data, preparing case notes and reports, and technically reviewing completed casework takes a large amount of time. The DCFSC technical leader is currently training two DNA trainees, with the training program expected to continue through the middle of 2025. Although the new analysts will be able to increase the lab's productivity after that time, in the interim the training program prevents the technical leader from completing casework at her previous level, and the turn-around time and backlog has been impacted adversely. Grant funding can address these challenges and will reduce or eliminate their negative impact on backlog and turnaround time.
Updated equipment purchased with funds from this grant will include a SeqStudio Flex 8 capillary Genetic analyzer along with upgraded GMID-X genetic analysis software. It will be necessary to validate the system and compile the data for use with STRmix mixture interpretation software. The makers of STRmix will assist in this data analysis. In addition, the laboratory will replace aging thermomixers, uninterruptible power supplies, and a digital camera.
A portion of the grant funds will pay for overtime for DNA analysts, to be used specifically during periods of increased submissions or decreased staffing, when it is necessary to prevent a backlog, or for violent rush cases. The capacity of the laboratory will be increased by grant funding of supplies needed for additional casework.
The grant will fund an external audit of the DNA section that will ensure the quality of work and will also enable the lab to comply with Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) requirements. Grant funded continuing education will improve the analysts' scientific expertise and also enable the laboratory to comply with QAS requirements.