Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2018, $304,054)
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) Forensic Laboratory is the agency that is responsible for the analysis of evidentiary samples from possible crimes for all state and local law enforcement agencies and medical examiners offices within the state of Kansas. The KBI has four laboratories within the system three of which conduct DNA testing. The three laboratories conducting DNA testing are Great Bend (West Region Laboratory); Topeka (headquarters), and Kansas City. The KBI laboratory in Topeka also houses the Databank Laboratory.
The KBI Biology Section of the Forensic Laboratory currently has twelve qualified DNA scientists. Two of the qualified DNA scientists also serve as supervisors. Two other qualified DNA scientists serve as technical leaders. Two more of the qualified DNA scientists have been training the seven new scientists.
Federal funding from this award will be used for the following goals.
1. To continue funding for salary and benefits for a Forensic Scientist III in the Kansas City Laboratory and a part-time Laboratory Technician for the Great Bend Laboratory. These positions have been funded by the previous DNA Backlog Reduction grants.
2. Provide training and the required continuing education for six of the analysts.
3. Purchase additional automated extraction instrument.
4. Fund overtime hours for Forensic Scientist IIs and Forensic Scientist IIIs to alleviate backlogs caused by additional personnel training, untested unsubmitted rape kits and increase in submissions to the laboratory.
NCA/NCF