FY 2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory provides services for the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. The forensic laboratory has two Criminalists that are trained and qualified to perform STR analysis and currently two more in our DNA training program, scheduled for completion this year.

Due to staffing needs and the growing demand for DNA analysis, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory needs to find a way to reduce backlogged DNA casework and increase our capacity.

The Sheriff’s Office has over 30 unsolved homicide/rape cases that need to be examined for potential DNA evidence. DNA cases can take from 60 to 90 days from request to final report, due to the size of our staff and non-efficient equipment. The forensic laboratory is seeking federal funds to decrease the backlog, turnaround time and to increase the capacity of cases from the DNA unit.

This will be accomplished by using grant funds to continue funding one Criminalist position, send staff members to the 2020 AAFS and ISHI conferences, purchase one Real Time PCR instrument, purchase 2 new DNA thermal cyclers, blocks, temperature verification kit and use funding for private fee for services vendors to reduce the number of backlogged DNA cases. The result will be a reduction in the number of days from request to issuing final DNA results to our clients and a reduction in the numbers of backlogged DNA cases.

NCA/NCF