Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2017, $387,126)
Idaho State Police Forensic Services (ISPFS) provides forensic services for approximately 1.6 million people in the state of Idaho. The ISPFS provides services to 88 police agencies, 44 sheriff agencies, and all federal and state law enforcement agencies in the state of Idaho. ISPFS currently has one hundred thirty two (132) DNA and seven (7) biology screening cases that are over the strategic turnaround time of thirty (30) days for the laboratory. ISPFS has committed to the Idaho Courts and Legislature to work all forensic cases in less than a 30 day turnaround time.
The scope of this project is to increase the analysis capacity and efficiency of forensic services in Idaho and to reduce the number of backlogged DNA cases in the Idaho State Police Forensic Services (ISPFS) laboratories. The overall objectives of this grant are to: 1) provide overtime for analysts to work biology/DNA cases; 2) send analysts to required external training; 3) procure instrumentation and equipment such as replacement extraction robotics, a device to minimize DNA contamination, replacement analysis computers and upgraded analysis software, various capacity building laboratory equipment for pipetting, centrifuging, and concentrating samples, high density storage for physical DNA database collection cards, alternate light source with imaging capability, and a hand held alternate light source for body fluid identification; 4) secure reagents to validate new extraction robotics; 5) conduct a required external DNA assessment; 6) contract for expert system software validation services.
The project objectives will allow the DNA unit to function more efficiently by providing the reagents, equipment, and instrumentation needed to maximize efficiency in the laboratory. The objectives will also allow the laboratory to continue to perform quality functions such as continuing education of analytical staff, validation of methods, and a DNA audit. Analysts will have the equipment provided that they need so they do not have to wait on each other for resources needed to complete their casework. Eliminating bottleneck areas in the analysis process, using contractors to perform validation work, and using overtime for casework will allow the unit to produce more casework.
nca/ncf