FY 2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program

The Midwest Regional Forensic Laboratory provides forensic science service in the areas of Biology/DNA, Latent Prints, Drug Chemistry, and Toxicology for all the law enforcement agencies within the Minnesota counties of Anoka, Sherburne, and Wright. From 2015 through 2017, the Biology section has seen an increase of almost 35 percent in requests for service.

Much of this increase is due to the great success in processing evidentiary samples collected from property crimes and controlled substance offenses. Over the same period of time, the Biology section turnaround time for all case types has increased more than 174 percent to 96 days. Our goal is to have turnaround times closer to 60 days. If submission rates continue to increase in 2018 and beyond, we will no longer be able to provide an acceptable level of service.

A biology scientist in the laboratory is expected to average completion of at least 28 DNA requests for service per month. If the scientist hired with this grant trains for the first year, and completes DNA casework for approximately 12 months of the grant period at a minimum of 40 hours/week, this should result in a net of approximately 330 DNA requests being completed during the grant period.

During calendar year 2017, the Biology section had 937 new DNA requests for service, and completed 649 during the same period. Another scientist completing 330+ requests for service per year would assist greatly in keeping up with caseload management.

NCA/NCF