FY 2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program

The goal of the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory is to utilize the “Forensic Casework DNA Backlog Reduction Program FY 2018” to increase analyst throughput and decrease the number of backlogged DNA cases, and decrease turnaround time.

The objective is to utilize the funds provided in this solicitation for the purchase of additional equipment to increase the capacity to extract and screen samples, to continue the support of seven Forensic Biologist positions that originated from funding for the FY2012 Backlog Reduction grant, and to purchase the necessary kits for extraction, quantitation and Y-STR analysis to maintain the anticipated higher capacity.

The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory is requesting funding to decrease the approximately 3200 backlogged cases. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory has had an increase in its backlog because of an increase of sexual assault kits submitted to the lab due to ACT 1168 and turnover of trained analysts. Due to this increase, the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory is requesting funding to purchase a large-format automated extraction robot with additional supplies to be used for extraction and analysis of DNA Sexual Assault Kit samples as well as for the extraction and analysis of additional forensic samples as new analysts complete their training.

The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory is also requesting funds to send 7 DNA Analysts out to conferences for continued education and efficiency improvement ideas. By sending the analysts out to conferences, it allows them to bring back new ideas and technologies to allow for more efficient processing of samples as well as disseminate our own innovations and successes.

NCA/NCF