FY2016 DNA Capacity and Backlog Reduction Program - Arkansas State Crime Laboratory

The goal of the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory is to utilize the “Forensic Casework DNA Backlog Reduction Program FY 2016” to decrease turnaround time, increase analyst throughput and decrease the number of backlogged DNA cases. The objective is to utilize the funds provided in this solicitation for the purchase of additional equipment to increase the capacity to extract and quantify samples, to continue the support of 5 Forensic Serologists and 2 Forensic DNA positions that were from funding for the FY2012 Backlog Reduction grant, and to purchase the necessary kits for extraction, quantitation and Y-STR analysis to maintain our current level of DNA processing. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory is requesting funding to decrease approximately 1000 backlogged cases. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory has had an increase in its backlog because of an increase of sexual assault kits submitted to the lab due to ACT 1168. Due to this increase, the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory is requesting funding to purchase additional equipment to be used for extraction, amplification, and analysis of DNA samples. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory is also requesting funds to send 7 DNA Analysts out to conferences for continued education. By sending the analysts out to conferences, it allows them to bring back new ideas and technologies to allow for more efficient processing of samples. The goals of this program are to 1. Maintain the DNA section. 2. Improve the Capabilities of the Forensic DNA section.
nca/ncf