Increasing the Capacity of Crime Laboratories

Several federal grant programs have made a significant contribution to clearing backlogs of forensic DNA evidence in crime laboratories. At the same time, most jurisdictions remain hard-pressed to keep up with the demand.

Between 2003 and 2008, NIJ awarded approximately $320 million to state and local DNA laboratories. They used the money to process more than 134,000 backlogged forensic DNA cases and to increase laboratory capacity to work more cases by buying better laboratory equipment, improving automation and hiring staff.

Federal funding has helped state and local DNA laboratories increase capacity almost threefold between 2005 and 2008. The improvement of DNA laboratories has helped to either reduce current backlogs or slow the growth of those backlogs.

Until the capacity to work cases equals the new case requests — until supply equals demand — the backlogs will continue to grow.