Proposal for FY 24 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program

The University of North Texas Health Science Center, Center for Human Identification (CHI) is a state of Texas criminal justice agency that provides forensic DNA analysis at no cost to law enforcement agencies primarily in Tarrant and the surrounding counties of north central Texas to assist in decreasing the number of backlog forensic DNA cases. The DNA analysis is primarily for uniform crime reporting (UCR), part 1, crime cases, i.e., aggravated assaults, forcible rape, murder, robbery, and property crimes. 

Texas Department of Public Safety and other agencies within the state regularly refer forensic cases to CHI which require routine DNA testing and analysis of cases that need familial and/or kinship relatedness statistical analysis. 

Services include conducting serological screening of evidentiary samples to identify biological material for subsequent DNA testing and utilizing DNA technologies such as autosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) and Y chromosome STR analyses. The CHI continues to work closely with both law enforcement and prosecuting agencies to select only the most probative samples for DNA testing. This collaborative effort provides guidance to the submitting agencies and helps improve laboratory productivity and cost effectiveness. 

Funds from this award allow CHI to continue assisting agencies in reducing the number of forensic DNA samples awaiting analysis, reduce the average turnaround time of 222 days, and complete the DNA analysis on a minimum of 450 new cases (approximately 900 samples). 

All eligible forensic DNA profiles will be entered into Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and uploaded into National DNA Index System (NDIS) where applicable. CHI is accredited by American National Standards Institute National Accreditation Board under the requirements of International Organization for Standardization 17025 and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Quality Assurance Standards. In addition to the DNA testing services, CHI also provides expert witness testimony.