FY 2016 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program

The New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory (NHSPFL) is the sole provider of forensic services in the State of New Hampshire. As such, the laboratory performs all serology and DNA analyses in association with criminal investigations in the state, and also is responsible for the analysis and entry of offender and casework samples into the CODIS database.

Like all other states, the NHSPFL is facing increased budgetary constraints. The Federal funding from this award will be used for the following goals:

1. Reducing the forensic biology case backlog and maintain or improve the current turnaround times through analyst overtime and purchasing supplies.
2. Reducing the DNA database sample backlog and maintain or improve the current turnaround times through analyst overtime and purchasing supplies.
3. Providing the required continuing education and proficiency tests for analysts.
4. Purchase and validate probabilistic genotyping software to aid in the interpretation of complex mixtures.
5. Purchase and validate a genetic analyzer which is compatible with the kit chemistry which is currently used in the laboratory.

It is expected that the NHSPFL will analyze a minimum of 250 forensic biology cases and 1000 database samples utilizing grant funds, and maintain its compliance with the FBI's DNA Quality Assurance Standards.
nca/ncf