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FY 2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program

Award Information

Award #
2018-DN-BX-0126
Funding Category
Formula
Location
Congressional District
Status
Closed
Funding First Awarded
2018
Total funding (to date)
$70,000

Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2018, $70,000)

The St. Charles County Police Department Criminalistics Laboratory (SCCPDCL) provides forensic DNA analysis services to the law enforcement community of St. Charles County Missouri. The SCCPDCL has seen an marked increase in DNA submissions as DNA evidence continues to be more prevalent and valuable to criminal investigations. As a result, the SCCPDCL is committed to using efficient and reliable methodologies and supplies to analyze the varied forensic DNA samples submitted.

The SCCPDCL will use its portion ($70,000) of the FY18 Forensic DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program to enhance its DNA testing capacity and reduce its DNA backlog by providing overtime for analysts, purchasing DNA testing supplies and software for DNA mixture interpretation. Funding analyst overtime is a proven way for the SCCPDCL to reduce its DNA backlog and improve the timeliness of forensic DNA testing it provides. The SCCPDCL anticipates working 400 additional DNA cases during the program period as a result of program funding. The purchase of software to aid in the interpretation of complex DNA mixtures utilizing Random Match Probability (RMP) methods will address a bottleneck in the DNA workflow, increase efficiency and enable reporting of evidence that would otherwise be inconclusive or non-interpretable.

NCA/NCF

Date Created: September 5, 2018