FY 2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program

Funds from this grant will be used to address three main goals and associated objectives:

1. To reduce the backlog of unanalyzed forensic DNA cases by analyzing a minimum of 100 backlogged violent and non-violent crime DNA cases using grant funded overtime.
2. To provide DNA Advisory Board (DAB) required continuing education training to nine DNA analysts.
3. To purchase new genetic analysis software, analyst desktop computers to run two software packages designed for genetic and probabilistic genotyping analysis, an additional DNA server to run the genetic analysis and probabilistic genotyping softwares, two 2-in-1 laptop computers and an extraction robot to automate the separation and extraction of sperm and non-sperm DNA from the same sample.

By using the 2018 CEBR program grant funds for the above goals, the Orange County Crime Laboratory (OCCL) will be able to reduce the backlog and increase the laboratory capacity in the DNA Bureau. Grant funded overtime will help reduce the backlog of violent and non-violent crimes and provide more timely results which will be better utilized by law enforcement and district attorney personnel.

Continuing education funded by the grant will provide DNA analysts the opportunity to learn about new technology and instrumentation for purchase and implementation within the laboratory.

This provided training will satisfy the yearly DAB’s requirement for continuing education of nine DNA analysts. The purchase of new software, computers and an extraction robot will continue to improve the DNA Bureau’s ability to analyze samples accurately and efficiently through the use of new technologies and techniques.

NCA/NCF