Expanding the Capacity of the DNA Analysis Unit of the Colorado Springs Metro Crime Laboratory through Personnel

The Colorado Springs Metro Crime Laboratory (MCL) provides forensic science services to law enforcement agencies in El Paso County (Colorado), primarily serving the Colorado Springs Police Department, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, and the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office.
To expand the capacity of the MCL’s DNA Analysis Unit, continuation funding is requested for a full-time grant-funded DNA analyst as well as funding for a newly created position – a grant-funded part-time serologist. By retaining the grant-funded DNA analyst – a position that cannot be supported with local funds – the DNA Analysis Unit will be able to maintain its current capacity. The DNA analyst has been conducting DNA casework for the MCL and will become certified to process serology requests in the near future. The DNA Analysis Unit will gain capacity in forensic biology processing by adding a part-time serologist to its staff. Both of these measures will address the current bottleneck in the forensic biology part of the DNA analysis process.

The proposed grant request would provide the Colorado Springs MCL with much needed personnel to ensure that the DNA Analysis Unit can work efficiently. This request will address the goals of the DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program, which is to assist eligible States and units of local government to:
-- Increase laboratory capacity, and
-- Reduce backlog.
nca/ncf