FY2015 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction-Richland County

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is currently seeking funds to enhance its capacity for DNA analysis through the DNA Backlog Reduction Program Formula Grant FY 2015. With the implementation of this grant, the following goals will be achieved; reduction of backlogged DNA cases and increase laboratory capacity with the objective of an overall reduction in violent and nonviolent crimes in Richland County through a continuation of current analyst throughput (26 cases/month). Without the grant-funded re-employment of the full time analyst and the full time technician, laboratory case throughput will be reduced by approximately 30 percent. The project plan/method is to utilize the grant-funded full time analyst and full time technician along with the two county-funded full time DNA analysts and existing laboratory infrastructure to coordinate and process DNA backlogged cases during the grant period. The new instrumentation will decrease the footprint of laboratory and will bring this component of the DNA process up-to-date to better increase capacity. Annual training for the DNA Analysts will allow for continuing education. Funds will be used to provide the quality assurance audit of the casework laboratory in accordance with the FBI's Quality Assurance Standards. nca/ncf.