FY 2017 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program - Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

The Forensic Biology Unit (FBU) of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory is responsible for analyzing evidential material associated with criminal investigations for over 28 municipalities, the school systems and providing assistance to local Federal agencies as needed within Palm Beach County, Florida.

As the primary DNA analysis laboratory for these agencies the efficient and timely processing of evidence is of the utmost importance. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Crime Laboratory requests funding for the following goals and objectives: Goal 1: Maintain the capacity of the Forensic Biology Unit.

Objective A: Continue to fund two grant funded entry-level Forensic Scientists whose primary responsibility will be to screen evidentiary material in preparation for DNA analysis.

Objective B: Purchase an additional thermocycler to increase the efficiency of the Y-screening process.

Goal 2: Decrease non-casework related activities through contracts.

Objective A: Contract with Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia to obtain a Technical Assistance Program (TAP) intern for the summer of 2019 to conduct a laboratory specified validation project.

Goal 3: Maintain continuing education for all analysts in the lab.

Objective A: Fund analysts’ travel to various national conferences and workshops.

Objective B: Fund analysts’ registration fees for national conferences.

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