West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program

he West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory (WVSPFL) is the only full-service, accredited forensic laboratory in the state of West Virginia responsible for analyzing evidence associated with criminal investigations for all law enforcement agencies (local, county, state and federal) free of charge. The West Virginia State Code Chapter 15, Section 2B designates the WVSPFL as the agency responsible for the testing and upload of DNA profiles obtained from individuals convicted of certain crimes in the state to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).  

The WVSPFL does not have a dedicated funding source and is a subcategory within the general budget of the West Virginia State Police. The Biology Unit is one of nine disciplines within the WVSPFL that rely on these limited resources for day-to-day operations and uses Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction funding to supplement the West Virginia State Police budget to increase the number of CODIS eligible samples analyzed and reduce the forensic case and DNA database sample turnaround times for CODIS entry.  

To meet expected caseloads, the WVSPFL will use federal funding to continue employment of three forensic scientists in the Biology Unit to process crime scene samples for CODIS entry. A Qiagen Connect instrument will be purchased to replace the current instrument for processing sexual assault samples.

To maintain accreditation, the WVSPFL will use federal funding to provide continuing education opportunities for the 20 forensic scientists in the Biology Unit. In addition, maintenance contracts will be purchased for instrument used to test crime scene and database samples ensuring no downtime and work can proceed in a timely manner.

To increase the capabilities, the WVSPFL will use federal funding to purchase NicheVision’s STRmix probabilistic genotyping software to assist with DNA interpretation of mixed DNA samples. A contract will also be established with NicheVision for training and validation of STRmix. The implementation STRmix will expand the laboratory’s ability to interpret more complex mixed DNA samples and increase the number of CODIS eligible samples.