NIJ Forensic DNA Efficiency Improvement Grant Application

LSPCL anticipates using grant funds for consulting services to process map the current forensic DNA system from receipt of evidence to analysis and reporting. Recommendations for improvement in the 'bottleneck' areas will be targeted, especially in the areas of screening evidence, electronic transfer of data, and in the review process.
Consulting services will be utilized to create an innovative plan that is suitable for publication and can serve as a model for other laboratories in the forensic community. The consultant will be expected to direct implementation and provide post implementation support for the award time period of 18 months. The required performance metrics will track the reduction in case turn-around-time, backlog reduction, and the increase of throughput for the DNA lab. A project budget of $600,000 will allow for consultant services, instrument interfaces, electronic imaging and transfer of data, as well as the equipment to make these systems a reality.
Objectives:
' Reduce case turn-around-time by 50%
' Double productivity
' Reduce case backlog by 50%
' Increase the number of CODIS hits

ca/ncf