FY2015 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program - Oregon State Police

PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goals of this proposal are to 1) reduce the Biology Processing and DNA casework backlogs and database sample backlog, 2) provide required training and continuing education for DNA analysts, 3) implement a new mechanism for entry and storage of Convicted Offender data.

The objectives are: A) to fund three Forensic Scientists positions (one for Biology Processing casework, one for DNA casework, and one for database analysis), B) to provide overtime for the analysis of backlogged DNA casework and convicted offender samples, C) to provide training and/or continuing education opportunities to analysts to assist with obtaining competency or maintaining proficiency, D) to purchase a new LIMS module (to add to our current LIMS module) for entry and storage of Convicted Offender data.

PROJECT DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
Objective A: We will provide support for 15 months to one full-time Biology Processing analyst. In addition, we will provide support for 12 months for one full-time DNA casework analyst and one full-time DNA database (COOlS) analyst.
One Forensic Scientist Entry, step 3 will be hired and trained by OSP for 15 months (January 1, 2016-March 31, 2017) to process backlogged Biology Processing cases. This will be a newly created position.

One Forensic Scientist 1, step 3 will be retained by OSP for 12 months (April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017) to process, analyze and report the DNA results from backlogged DNA cases. The current funding for the DNA casework position is a NIJ FY2014 DNA Backlog Reduction Program grant (2014-DN-BX-0118). Funds from this grant will allow us to retain this position. If retained, this analyst will analyze any backlogged DNA cases.

One Forensic Scientist Entry, step 6 will be retained by OSP for 12 months (April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017) to process backlogged CODIS samples. The current funding for the DNA database position is a NIJ FY2014 DNA Backlog Reduction Program grant (2014-DN-BX-0118). Funds from this grant will allow us to retain this position.

Objective B: Grant funds will provide overtime for approximately 17 DNA analysts to process and analyze backlogged DNA cases. The majority of the backlogged samples are no suspect(s), property crime cases. Profiles from these cases will be entered into COOlS and subsequent hits will be reported to the police agency to aid in their investigation. The overtime will help to minimize our DNA backlog.

Objective C: In-house training will be provided to 17 DNA analyst on a topic to be determined at a later date.

Objective D: A JusticeTrax LIMS module will be purchased for entry and storage of Convicted Offender data. We are currently using an Access database, which is no longer being supported by our IT group.

nca/ncf.