FY 2015 DNA Backlog Reduction Program - Monroe County Crime Laboratory

The Monroe County Crime Laboratory (MCCL) is a regional crime lab that regularly provides forensic services for over 40 police agencies within an eight county region of New York State. In addition to these Counties, the laboratory often provides services to the New York State Police, ATF, US Attorney's Office and the New York Park Police (approximately 52 agencies). The City of Rochester is the largest city within the eight county region and accounts for the majority of cases completed by the MCCL. The total service area represents a population of approximately 1,204,275 (U.S. Census, 2010). The MCCL is the agency responsible for conducting DNA analysis on the DNA samples collected in the region and uploading samples into the CODIS database.

The MCCL is facing monetary constraints severely impacting the supply purchases, instrument maintenance and travel budget allotted to the Forensic Biology section. The federal funding from this award will be used to achieve the following goals:

1. Maintain current staffing levels by funding one Forensic Biologist III position that is currently funded under grant 2014-DN-BX-0072 until September 2016.
2. Provide required continuing education for analysts.
3. Support a more efficient work flow as previously established through a Lean Six Sigma project by purchasing DNA kits and supplies.
4. Implement Y-STR technology for more efficient screening of sexual assault cases
5. Maintain optimal instrument performance by continuing preventative maintenance on analysis instrumentation and supporting system equipment.
6. Maintain accreditation requirements by supporting calibration and certification of equipment.
7. Maintain accreditation requirements by participating in regularly scheduled proficiency testing programs.
8. Maintain accreditation requirement for review of relevant scientific literature.

The MCCL can expect to reduce the DNA case backlog by at least 156 cases by the end of the award period.

nca/ncf.