FY 2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS) proposes to: 1) provide overtime funds and supplies for forensic scientist to conduct DNA analysis of at least 123 backlogged DNA cases; 2) supplement internal and external training to meet continuing education requirements for accreditation and provide travel expenses for continuing education and training opportunities; 3) provide equipment and other items, such as laptop computers, extraction robots and thermal cyclers to accommodate increased staff and to replace existing aging items; 4) provide for administrative costs associated with grant management. This project most notably enables the FLB to continue its efforts to improve its current DNA case average turnaround time of 145 days down to an optimal 30-60 days.

nca/ncf