Decrease the Number of Contract Laboratory Cases Awaiting Data Review While Improving DNA Analysis Efficiency

• NCJ Number: 236693
• Author(s): Vincent J. Anderson; Jeff Thompson
• Date Published: November 2011
• Length: 66 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2009-DN-BX-K034
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Award: 2009 Forensic DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement

Annotation

The objectives of this project were to improve DNA analysis efficiency for cases managed by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and to decrease the number of the LAPD's contract laboratory DNA cases awaiting data review, with a focus on sexual assault cases.

Abstract

As of September 30, 2011, case turn-around time increased from 71 days to 108 days for delivery of the final report, due to the assigning of older cases in the backlog and a change in reporting dates. The samples per analyst per month increased 82 percent from a baseline of 15.9 to 29.0. Also, the backlog of requests for DNA analysis decreased approximately 52 percent from a baseline of 3,107 to 1,491. Although no funds from this grant were directly used to fund the validation of new analytical platforms, because of funds used from this grant for overtime to perform subcontractor reviews, LAPD personnel were able to conduct research into developing a method for spermatozoa identification and extraction using Laser Micro dissection. As of September 30, 2011, LAPD has reviewed 2,865 reports from outside vendors under the Efficiency Grant. Those reviews have led to 1,705 cases with at least one CODIS upload and 895 cases with at least one CODIS Hit Notification. Those cases were reviewed on grant-funded overtime in the amount of $238,061.64. This grant stemmed from the LAPD's need to upload subcontractor DNA profiles into the CODIS database in a timely and efficient manner while still allowing time to develop and implement DNA analysis efficiency measures. This circumstance encouraged the LAPD to apply for the 2009 Forensic DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement grant (Efficiency Grant). Appended supplementary tables and information