FY 2016 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction - San Francisco

The San Francisco Police Department Criminalistics Laboratory (SFPD Crime Lab) is the agency that is responsible for analyzing evidential material associated with criminal investigations for the local law enforcement agencies. The SFPD has one crime lab that primarily services the City and County of San Francisco Police Department, as well as the Sheriff's Department and other local law enforcement agencies operating within the City and County of San Francisco.

The SFPD is facing budgetary constraints related to its operational budget for equipment purchases, laboratory instruments and training. The Federal funding from this award will be used for the following goals:

1. Reduce bottlenecks and increase throughput in DNA processing by addition of three benchtop hoods, upgrading of existing Tecan robot to allow barcode reading and purchase of an additional Tecan with barcode reading ability
2. Improve services offered by the Forensic Biology unit by validation of methodology to process fired cartridge cases for DNA analysis by a Marshall University summer intern student.
3. Providing the continuing education required for each DNA analyst.
4. Providing overtime for DNA casework

The SFPD can expect to reduce the DNA backlog by increasing efficiency and optimizing the case turn-around time. By the end of this award period, the turn-around time is expected to be reduced to 150 days or less.
nca/ncf