FY 2016 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program

DNA DATABANK:

1. The DNA Databank is seeking funding for new Thermal Cyclers to replace aging thermal cyclers, which have been discontinued by the manufacturer. New thermal cyclers will provide higher throughput per instrument than current thermal cyclers.

2. The DNA Databank will seek funding for continuing education training, which is mandated by the FBI for qualified DNA analysts. Grant funding will provide Forensic Scientists or Databank Designees registration and travels costs for the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists Conference, Promega International Symposium on Human Identification, and the Green Mountain DNA Conference. In addition, funding is being sought to allow the Databank Technical Leader to attend Technical Leader & CODIS meeting in Norman Oklahoma.

3. The Databank Section is also seeking funding for the continuation of subscriptions for two relevant scientific journals and the purchase of the most current version of John Butler’s DNA Typing textbooks (Interpretation and Methodology) as a reference resource for the Forensic Scientists.

DNA CASEWORK:

1. The Casework Section is seeking funding for overtime to help reduce the current forensic DNA casework backlog by at least 242 cases through in-house testing using federal overtime. We are also requesting overtime for analysts to work on our current validation efforts.
2. The Casework Section will seek funding for continuing education training, which is mandated by the FBI for qualified DNA analysts. Grant funding will provide three (3) Forensic Scientists or Casework Designees registration and travels costs for the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists Conference as well as three (3) Forensic Scientists or Casework Designee registration and travels costs for the Promega International Symposium. In addition, funding for travel and registration is requested for two (2) Casework staff members to attend the Green Mountain Conference; one (1) staff member to attend the AAFS conference; and, for the Casework Technical Leader to attend the Tech Leader and CODIS annual meeting.
3. The Casework Section would like to purchase a NexGen Sequencer for forensic applications, along with the associated library / reagent kits. The Section believes that NexGen sequencing will become more widely available in the coming years, offering a more in-depth analysis of evidence items and additional information from compromised forensic samples. Other requested funding is requested to purchase three (3) thermocyclers and eight (8) digital camera bundle packages.
4. In conjunction with the Databank request, funding to support the continued service of a LIMS/Workstation Support Coordinator is requested during the grant period. The availability of a LIMS Coordinator maximizes the record keeping and report preparation functions of the Casework Section LIMS system as well as keeping production continuous with on-site workstation support.
5. The Casework Section is also seeking funding for the continuation of subscriptions for two relevant scientific journals that are used for continuing education and courtroom testimony preparation.
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