FY15 DNA Backlog Program Initiative

The Montana Department of Justice Forensic Science Division (MT DOJ FSD) is the agency responsible for analyzing evidence associated with criminal investigations for all state and local law enforcement agencies and medical examiners within the state of Montana. Montana Code Annotated 44-6-102 designates the MT DOJ FSD Laboratory to conduct analysis of DNA database samples collected from all convicted felons.
DNA casework continues to increase year after year. In order to increase our capacity, reduce backlog, and speed up throughput, we request federal funding to be used for the following goals:

1. Validate Powerplex Fusion chemistry for STR Amplification kits to include new NDIS approved loci and reduced processing time.
2. Upgrade two Thermal-cyclers from 48-well to 96-well and increase capacity.
3. Provide the laboratory with extraction, quantitation, and amplification reagents for the processing of backlogged (>30 days) cases.
4. Provide the laboratory with Convicted Offender Collection kits.
5. Provide continuing education for three forensic scientists.
6. Provide the laboratory with FBI QAS required DNA and Databasing Lab Assessments.

nca/ncf.