Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2017, $2,167,676)
To reduce the number of forensic DNA cases awaiting analysis, the nine Texas Department of Public Safety casework laboratories will work as a team to engage it's 110 Forensic DNA Scientists and DNA Technicians to work examining evidence, developing DNA profiles, and then entering those forensic profiles into the CODIS DNA database.
In this grant application, funds are requested to pay overtime to as many as 85 state-funded DNA scientists to work overtime. Funds are also requested to continue the employment of fourteen additional grant funded FTEs, and to acquire licenses for genetic analyzers and STR DNA kits to perform forensic DNA testing in house. The goal will be to complete the analysis of evidence on 1,200 backlogged forensic DNA cases during the project period.
In conjunction with this work, DNA scientists will attend continuing education by attending DNA training workshops to retain their proficiency, enhance their skills and improve efficiency.
nca/ncf