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FY 2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program

Award Information

Award #
2018-DN-BX-0107
Funding Category
Formula
Location
Congressional District
Status
Closed
Funding First Awarded
2018
Total funding (to date)
$536,297

Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2018, $536,297)

The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency, (I-MCFSA) is a local government agency, which provides Indianapolis, Marion County, State, and Federal criminal justice system with forensic laboratory services. We provide prompt, accurate and quality forensic analysis on requests submitted by Public Safety agencies in the Criminal Justice System. The I-MCFSA performs scientific examinations of physical evidence pertaining to crimes occurring in the City of Indianapolis and County of Marion. The laboratory also supports federal investigations in other Indiana Counties as part of joint investigation task forces originating in Marion County. The I-MCFSA furnishes expert testimony in these areas when requested.

This laboratory is the first full service forensic laboratory in Indiana accredited in the ASCLD/LAB–International program, and the 35th laboratory accredited in the ASCLD/LAB-International program, worldwide. The accreditation consisted of a very comprehensive assessment in which every aspect of the laboratory’s operation, in addition to the Crime Scene Unit, and was carefully reviewed to include its management practices, evidence handling procedures, and laboratory security procedures.

The continued effort to eliminate an increase in violent crime includes the I-MCFSA as an integral element within the various criminal justice and public safety agencies of the city and county. The reduction in violent crime continues to be an issue that several Marion County and Indianapolis government entities have attempted to address over the past several years, with 2018 being no different. The I-MCFSA is a vital participant in the Criminal Justice System. The laboratory continues to pursue the goal of reducing the amount of time between submissions for requests of analysis through case completion to a maximum of six weeks in all forensic disciplines.

NCA/NCF

Date Created: September 5, 2018