Statewide

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS), as the State Administering Agency for U.S. Department of Justice funding, is applying for the DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program grant on behalf of three of New Mexico’s forensic laboratories. In a collaborative effort to improve crime laboratories, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) Crime Lab case working DNA unit and the New Mexico DNA Identification System (NMDIS), administered by APD, are jointly submitting this application for grant funds with the New Mexico (NM) Department of Public Safety (DPS) Forensic Laboratory.

The DPS Forensic Laboratory is responsible for analyzing evidential material associated with criminal investigations for most state and local law enforcement agencies and medical examiners within the State of New Mexico. The APD MCL case working DNA unit is responsible for analyzing evidential material associated with criminal investigations for law enforcement agencies within Bernalillo County. The New Mexico Statute designates the New Mexico DNA Identification System (NMDIS) as the agency responsible for conducting DNA analysis on DNA samples collected from all convicted felony offenders as well as all felony arrestees in the State of New Mexico; the NMDIS is responsible for storing and maintaining the resultant profiles in the New Mexico DNA Database. The APD MCL maintains the DNA Database Unit.

This award will be specifically used for the following goals:

1. Reduce the backlog of forensic biology/DNA cases.
2. Increase and maintain the capacity and capabilities of the DPS/APD casework laboratories.
3. Maintain FBI mandated continuing education for all analysts in the DPS/APD labs.
4. Purchase supplies, assemble, and distribute DNA Database collection kits.
5. Upgrade CODIS sample tracking computer, related software with backup media, and backup server.

nca/ncf.