Enhanced Capacity in the Colorado Springs Metro Crime Laboratory (MCL) DNA Analysis Unit through Personnel and Supplies

The Colorado Springs Metro Crime Laboratory (MCL) provides forensic science services to law enforcement agencies in El Paso County (Colorado), primarily serving the Colorado Springs Police Department, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, and the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office.
To increase the capacity of the DNA Analysis Unit of the MCL, continuation funding is requested for a full-time grant-funded DNA analyst as well as funding for supplies to expand the DNA laboratory to three workstations. Through the addition of one workstation, the DNA Analysis Unit will gain efficiencies since this allows all three DNA analysts to work simultaneously and avoids the bottleneck of sharing equipment and analytical tools.

The proposed grant request would provide the Colorado Springs MCL with much needed personnel, software, and supplies to ensure that the DNA Analysis Unit can work efficiently. This request will address the goals of the DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program, which is to assist eligible States and units of local government to:
-- Increase laboratory capacity, and
-- Reduce backlog.

nca/ncf.