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

The New York State Police Biological Sciences Section includes both the casework and New York State DNA Databank Labs. Existing backlogs, rush/priority requests, hiring/staffing, optimal lab/office space, training of new and existing staff, assessment/validation projects and New York State legislation changes (examples: sexual offense evidence collection kits, familial searching, and discovery) are all challenges that hamper significant improvements within the Biological Sciences Section. These challenges impact resources, efforts, time management and productivity, thus negatively effecting the ability to improve processing capacity or decrease turnaround times for Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) eligible samples.

Funding is requested from the FY24 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program to assist with overtime/fringe/indirect, travel, equipment, supplies, procurement contracts and other costs to continue to carry out, for inclusion in CODIS, DNA analyses of samples, and to increase the capacity of the section to conduct DNA analyses of samples.