Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2017, $867,755)
The Houston Forensic Science Center (HFSC) is an independent forensic science laboratory operation that operates across eight disciplines in the City of Houston. HFSC provides forensic science services to one of the largest police departments in the state of Texas, the Houston Police Department, as well as a growing number of other stakeholders in the region. One of the eight disciplines offered is forensic biology/DNA.
HFSC is seeking FY 2017 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program (CEBR) funds to build upon efficiencies gained in applying Lean Six Sigma principles to the laboratory's biology and DNA workflows. Goals for this funding include:
- increasing laboratory capacity
- preventing future backlogs from occurring
- enhancing workflow efficiency
- continuously improving forensic service quality
Specifically, funds will be used to increase staffing, carry out additional Lean Six Sigma projects within the Biology section, and to provide external training opportunities to keep staff current in their field. The proposed objectives will benefit HFSC by improving throughput, preventing backlogs from forming, and ensuring that the HFSC Forensic Biology/DNA unit remains compliant with FBI quality assurance and laboratory accreditation standards.
nca/ncf