FY 2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program

The goals and objectives for the MVRCL using this grant funding as follows:

Goal 1 – MVRCL intends to improve the overall service of forensic services offered to the criminal justice systems in the service area. To accomplish this, MVRLC will endeavor to:

A. Maintain the overall turnaround time in the DNA section

B. Increase the number of DNA samples processed each month

This goal can be met by purchasing supplies to automate steps of the DNA processing. This will allow for a decrease in sample handling time and maintain the turnaround time. Thus, the criminal justice systems in the service area will still receive laboratory reports in a timely manner.

The assessment of turnaround time and the number of samples worked will be evaluated each quarter of the award period.

Goal 2 – MVRCL intends to reduce the backlog of cases awaiting DNA analysis. To accomplish this, MVRCL will endeavor to:

A. Purchase equipment to help process more samples at once

B. Validate automation of additional steps of the DNA process on the Tecan

To meet this goal, MVRCL will purchase an additional EZ1 Advanced robot to allow for additional automated extraction of DNA samples. The laboratory is currently limited to processing 27 samples plus a reagent blank. The purchase of another robot will increase the number of samples processed simultaneously to 41 samples plus a reagent blank.

The MVRCL will also get a Tecan script from the vendor that supplies the quantification and amplification kits. This script will allow for faster set up and processing time. The vendor will validate the operation of the script.

The MVRCL DNA section will complete the remainder of validation studies in-house.

NCA/NCF