FY 2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program

The City of Albuquerque operates both the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) forensic DNA Laboratory and the New Mexico DNA Identification System (NMDIS) Administrative Center, the legislatively designated SDIS laboratory for the State of New Mexico.

The APD and NMDIS funding sources are designed to address normal operating expenses of both laboratories; however, due to limitations in municipal and state funding for the testing of backlogged cases, combined with increases in supply and outsourcing costs associated with new testing kit requirements, it is not possible to address all DNA casework production and casework/offender/arrestee outsourcing needs. To this end, the APD forensic DNA and NMDIS laboratories are requesting funding to address the following budget items: supplemental DNA testing supplies, contracted QC/reagent prep support personnel, the outsourcing of backlogged cases and offender/arrestee database samples, and travel and registration associated with federally mandated training.

Significant increases in the demand for analysis of new and backlogged cases (predominantly sexual assault kits), insufficient staffing, inconsistent funding streams and federal requirements to use substantially more expensive STR megaplex kits requiring upgraded and/or new equipment, validations and training place additional financial burdens on an already stressed system.

The goal of this project is to utilize authorized grant funds to address gaps in state and municipal funding, related to both the APD’s and the NMDIS’s respective (as appropriate) supply, personnel, outsourcing, and required training needs.

NCA/NCF