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FY 2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program

Award Information

Award #
2018-DN-BX-0033
Funding Category
Formula
Location
Congressional District
Status
Closed
Funding First Awarded
2018
Total funding (to date)
$150,000

Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2018, $150,000)

The County of San Mateo is located in Northern California. It is positioned immediately south of the County and City of San Francisco. It has a population over 730,000 and comprises 450 square miles, 25% of which is urban space.

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory (SMCSO-FL) services approximately thirty law enforcement and law enforcement related agencies in the County of San Mateo and its surrounding areas. These agencies include San Mateo County Departments: the Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, the Coroner’s Office, Probation, Parks & Recreation, Animal Control; California Highway Patrol; local Police Departments; California Fish & Game; and, transportation authorities. By contractual agreement, the SMCSO-FL also provides forensic services to the City of Vallejo (Solano County), the Cities of Concord and Pittsburg (Contra Costa County), and the City of Fremont (Alameda County).

The Federal funding from the FY2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program will be used within a 24-month project period, beginning on January 1, 2019.

The SMCSO-FL’s goal is to provide the required continuing education for criminalists employed at the laboratory.

The SMCSO-FL anticipates a reduction in the DNA case backlog. The SMCSO-FL expects:
• To complete at least 154 cases funded by the end of the award.
• To maintain a turnaround time of 175 days or less.
• Examiner throughput to exceed 25 samples per analyst per month.

Currently, 5 fully qualified, independent, examiners are responsible for working on DNA cases, 2 examiners are in training, and 2 interns assist with general laboratory functions and screen evidence for the presence of DNA.

NCA/NCF

Date Created: August 31, 2018