FY 2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program

The Hamilton County Coroner's Office and Laboratory continues to face budgetary challenges and reduced funding from the Hamilton County local government. This award will ensure uninterrupted processing of Forensic Biology/DNA evidence that would otherwise be curtailed.

The goals and objectives of this project are fourfold. First, with this grant funding, the Hamilton County Coroner’s Laboratory plans to increase the capacity of the DNA section by purchasing and implementing a second genetic analyzer into the casework flow. This genetic analyzer will allow the DNA section to process more samples and will act as a back-up in the event that our primary genetic analyzer fails. Grant funds will also be used to pay for a validation team to perform the validation of the genetic analyzer so that analysts are able to focus their attention on analyzing current and backlogged cases in order to decrease our backlog.

Secondly, we plan to reduce the backlog of forensic biology and DNA cases awaiting analysis by at least 74 cases. Grant funds will permit the purchasing of critical reagents and supplies necessary for the processing of these backlogged cases. The laboratory will process these cases in-house using existing procedures and recently upgraded equipment.

NCA/NCF