Claflin University Forensics DNA Laboratory (FDL) Proposal

The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.

Claflin University, in collaboration with the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety (ODPS), will use their FY 2010 Congressionally Recommended funds to continue to strengthen the joint services Forensics DNA Laboratory (FDL) at Claflin University which will support the education, research and outreach missions of the university while simultaneously providing support for regional law enforcement agencies. As a part of its strategy, Claflin and ODPS will further build the infrastructure of the forensics DNA laboratory capabilities at Claflin. All law enforcement agencies within the First Judicial Circuit (Orangeburg and Calhoun counties and portions of Dorchester County) will greatly benefit in having a fully functional regional forensic laboratory.

Currently, Claflin University is renovating the Forensics Laboratory that will consolidate the current drug testing laboratory and automated fingerprinting services that are located at ODPS headquarters as well as the Forensic DNA laboratory into a single location on the Claflin campus. This newly established service laboratory will be used for DNA, drug, and automated fingerprinting (AFIS) analytical services for local, regional, and national law enforcement agencies while simultaneously training scientists in the forensic field. A long term goal is to reduce the backlog of analyzing samples and the delay in the return of analysis results.

In the last five years, Claflin has established a fully functioning drug analyses and automated fingerprinting facilities at the ODPS headquarter. In the coming year, it is Claflin's goal to establish a fully functioning a Forensic DNA laboratory and consolidate all three services - drug analyses, automated fingerprinting and forensic DNA analyses service laboratory in a single building that is located on the Claflin Campus.

NCA/NCF