Forensic Science Operations

The Fort Worth Police Department Crime Laboratory proposes to implement their Operations Improvement Project. The purpose is to carry out, for inclusion in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), outsourcing of DNA analysis of forensic case samples to reduce the backlog which will in turn reduce the turnaround time. Project activities include salary and fringe benefits for a Property Control Specialist who will record, inventory, and transfer evidence to reduce delays in locating samples, contractual outsourcing of evidence to an accredited laboratory to reduce the number of cases awaiting analysis, thus reducing the case backlog and turnaround time, and attending a mandatory Department of Justice two-day training workshop that will be non-grant funded. Expected outcomes include: submission of approximately 300 pieces of evidence to the Property Control Unit each month by the Property Control Specialist and reduction of the backlog by outsourcing approximately 320 cases to qualified lab vendors. Investigative detectives, prosecuting attorneys, and victims are the intended beneficiaries. There are no subrecipient activities on this grant.