FY 2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program

The 2018 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction program is intended for increasing the throughput and timeliness of forensic analysis of evidence submitted to the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory Biological Sciences Section. This task is to be completed in two separate ways. First, capacity and efficiency will be maintained through the purchase of a RT qPCR instrument, thermal cyclers, a water purification system and kits (quantitation and amplification) for analysis of forensic DNA samples. This will allow us to maintain and expand capacity to analyze forensic DNA samples. Second, funds will be used for the hiring of two contract employees. These analysts will assist in the screening of backlogged biological evidence from criminal investigations, including property crime and sexual assault cases with no suspects. The samples processed by these analysts will then undergo DNA analysis and the resulting DNA profiles will be entered into the CODIS DNA Database. This may ultimately lead to CODIS hits that can solve these cases. Without the contract employees, these cases would be backlogged due to our current manpower constraints. NCA/NCF