DNA Capacity Enhancement Grant 2016

The Lake County Crime Laboratory (LCCL) is a forensic laboratory performing DNA analysis for criminal investigations. The LCCL has seen a dramatic increase in the submissions for DNA analysis in the past year. Because of the use of more sensitive DNA testing kits, the LCCL has had great success with touch DNA samples. There have been several cases where the DNA analysis was utilized in court, which was then noticed by other Lake County Law Enforcement Agencies, causing them to realize what can be done with these types of cases. With the increase in DNA cases submitted, the number of DNA analysts required to keep abreast of the work has increased. The LCCL must keep the DNA analyst who has been grant funded in the past. With this DNA analyst on board and actively working and reporting out DNA cases, the LCCL is barely able to keep up with submissions. It is imperative that the LCCL be able to continue to utilize grant funds for this analyst. We anticipate that this DNA analyst will be able to complete 120 cases per year, with a total of 240 cases per the two year grant period. Accurate records of cases completed, including number of samples analyzed, days to completion, CODIS uploads and CODIS hits, will be maintained to determine the impact of the grant funds. nca/ncf