FY2015 DNA Backlog Reduction Program - Baltimore County, Maryland

The Baltimore County Police Department - Forensic Services Section's (BCoPD-FSS) Biology Unit is a unit of local government of Baltimore County, Maryland that is responsible for analyzing evidentiary materials associated with criminal investigations conducted by the Baltimore County Police Department. The BCoPD maintains a memorandum of understanding with the Maryland State Police Department for CODIS entry.

Budgetary constraints preclude BCoPD from increasing the capacity and efficiency of the DNA laboratory. Federal funding under this award will be used: (1) to increase the capacity and efficiency of the BCoPD-FSS DNA casework laboratory in order to significantly reduce existing backlogs and mitigate future backlogs, improve turnaround time and increase throughput with the purchase of a software upgrade and support; upgraded and additional equipment needed to support and improve DNA laboratory operations, and; contracting for an independent review of laboratory management, and (2) to further develop staff abilities by providing continuing education opportunities and training to existing and new DNA analysts. nca/ncf.