FY2024 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program - Formula

The South Dakota State Forensic Laboratory (SDFL) is the only accredited laboratory in South Dakota capable of doing forensic DNA analysis on criminal cases. As such, evidence from criminal cases throughout the entire state of South Dakota is submitted to the SDFL for forensic analysis. The SDFL has managed a sub-90-day turnaround time for the past several years, despite a continued increase in the biology caseload. The offender database samples are completed inhouse (since 2018) and all the work to upload those samples is done on-site. The SDFL continues to see increases in case submissions each year. SDFL currently has two DNA analysts in training with another to be hired and trained in the 2024-2025 year. These new examiners replace retired and promoted individuals within our lab. The SDFL continues to maintain the turnaround time and caseload capacity when qualified examiners leave our agency. The SDFL prides itself in efficiency and find that we complete a high number of DNA cases per examiner compared to other crime labs.

Renewed funding will allow SDFL to continue purchasing GlobalFiler kits for casework, supplies for on-site offender sample testing, both of which will reduce the turnaround time in casework and offender sample processing. Renewed funding would also allow the purchase of necessary Rapid DNA supplies as our lab continues to attempt to be on the forefront of technology and prepare for upcoming Federal Bureau of Investigation changes to increase efficiency. As the SDFL expands, there will be continued need for additional equipment to maintain the current turnaround times and to keep up with an increase in examiners and casework. It is also pertinent to accreditation bodies that the SDFL continue to meet the ever-changing standards. While transitioning to a new Quality Manager this year, they would like to continue to assist in that transition by sending this individual (who is also a biologist) to quality-specific trainings to network with other labs as well as start to develop the skills and knowledge to keep the lab accredited and meet the standards set forth through our accrediting agency.

It is the intention to use this funding to accomplish the following goals: equip examiners with the required supplies to perform forensic testing on evidence from criminal cases and upload applicable DNA profiles into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS); add additional equipment to ensure enough exam space for examiners to continue to identify biological stains; and send examiners to required Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Quality Assurance Standards trainings to stay current in real time with other labs and the forensic community. These requests will allow the SDFL to continue to provide, and improve upon, the current turnaround time that the customers of South Dakota have come to expect from the SDFL.