Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2017, $150,000)
The Southwest Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory (SWLCL) DNA Department is requesting will use funds to complete three validation projects, which will all increase the quality of work that the laboratory performs as well as decrease the turnaround time. Each of the validations will improve a different step in the DNA process. One validation will increase the quality of separation during the differential extraction step that is performed on sexual assault samples.
Another will be implementing a new quantification system, which will allow the laboratory to quantify the DNA in the evidence samples more accurately and in a smaller amount of time. The final validation is direct amplification on reference samples for Y-STR testing, which will allow the analysts to perform Y-STR analysis on known samples more quickly, allowing the analyst to skip the beginning steps of DNA.
SWLCL is requesting for funding for two validations to be performed by an outside company, which will allow the laboratory's two DNA analysts to continue to perform casework. The laboratory is requesting funds to pay for the chemicals and other supplies needed to perform the necessary tests for all three validations.
The laboratory is requesting funds to purchase two new thermal cyclers which will replace the current equipment. The current thermal cyclers pass the requirements, but can be improved which increase the quality of analysis. These thermal cyclers will also contain alerts so analysts can work in different areas and will be alerted when the cyclers are complete.
The DNA unit is also requesting travel and registration of two DNA analysts to the International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) in Phoenix, AZ in September 2018. This conference and workshop will be used to fill the required 8 hours of continuing education for these DNA analysts, as well as provide important information to keep the DNA analyst up-to-date on the most current technology and techniques in Forensic DNA testing. The DNA unit is also requesting travel of the DNA Technical Leader to the CODIS Conference/Technical Leader Summit in Norman, OK in November 2018. This meeting will expose the DNA Technical Leader to the most current topics for DNA Technical Leaders, and will fulfill the required 8 hours of continuing education for the DNA Technical Leader. Lastly, the laboratory is requesting to send a grant training, which will benefit the DNA department with knowledge in grant writing and management in the future.
nca/ncf