Handling the Price of Success

• NCJ Number: 211860
• Author(s): National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center
• Date Published: January 2001
• Length: 5 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored

Annotation

This paper discusses the success of the Forensic DNA Laboratory Improvement Program enhancing DNA analysis capabilities of State and local crime labs.

Abstract

Since 1996, the Forensic DNA Laboratory Improvement Program managed by the National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ’s) Office of Science and Technology (OS&T) has invested Federal dollars in improving the DNA analysis capabilities of State and local crime labs to clear up the backlog of DNA samples collected from convicted offenders and crime scenes. The DNA Laboratory Improvement Program addresses low funding, understaffing, and high personnel turnover rates at State and local crime labs. The program has been supplemented with funding to clear an estimated backlog of 750,000 DNA samples collected from convicted offenders. In addition, moneys were spent to send untested offender samples to private labs for DNA analysis. The intent is help catch up by outsourcing the backlog of DNA samples. Crime labs must still prioritize cases, and nonsuspect evidence still takes a backseat.