DNA FY 2024 Grant funding for North Dakota Office of Attorney General Crime Laboratory Division

The North Dakota Office of Attorney General (NDOAG) Crime Laboratory Division is the agency that is responsible for analyzing evidential material associated with criminal investigations for all state and local law enforcement agencies, medical examiners, and coroners with the state. North Dakota Century Code 31-13 also designates the NDOAG Crime Laboratory Division as the agency responsible for conducting DNA analysis on DNA samples collected from all registered offenders and convicted felons, as well as all felony arrestees in the state of North Dakota. Additionally, the laboratory is responsible for storing and maintaining the resultant profiles in the North Dakota State Index System (SDIS) and uploading the qualified profiles into the National DNA Index System (NDIS).

The NDOAG Crime Laboratory Division is requesting to use FY24 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Formula funding to work towards the laboratory and division goals of helping to reduce the number of forensic DNA casework and DNA database samples awaiting analysis.

The laboratory is requesting to utilize the federal funding to purchase supplies as well as funds to contract with a vendor to conduct the bi-annually required external Quality Assurance Standards audit of the DNA Unit; to purchase and implement additional thermal cycler units in the DNA Unit, purchase additional alternate light sources, and an automated temperature monitoring system; hiring of one temporary analyst for the DNA Unit to assist in processing casework to reduce the overall backlog of cases; and to provide continuing education opportunities for staff members to meet accreditation standards and the Quality Assurance Standards issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Supplies purchased will be used to process, screen, and analyze forensic DNA casework and/or database samples. Equipment will streamline the processing of casework samples to reduce the overall backlog of cases and increase the timeliness of crime scene sample entry into Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The NDOAG Crime Laboratory Division is striving to attain an average 30-day DNA casework and database sample turn-around time and to increase the productivity of each analyst to at least 60 samples per month.