Program Requirements
Eligible States and units of local government to reduce the overall turnaround time for the handling, screening, and analysis of forensic DNA samples, increase the throughput of DNA laboratories and reduce existing DNA forensic casework backlogs.
Forensic Casework DNA Backlog Reduction
Eligible States and units of local government may request funds to handle, screen, and analyze forensic DNA samples that currently exist as casework backlogs. For the purpose of this solicitation, "backlog" is defined as any forensic casework samples awaiting handling, screening, and/or DNA analysis. Although the allocation of funds in general will be based on UCR, Part 1 Violent Crimes, the use of award funds for forensic casework DNA backlog reduction purposes is not limited to handling, screening, and analyzing backlogged forensic DNA casework samples from UCR, Part 1 Violent Crimes. Although UCR, Part 1 Violent Crimes are the priority, States and units of local government may use FY 2010 program funds to handle, screen, and analyze any backlogged criminal forensic DNA casework sample. Research has suggested that the aggressive use of DNA analysis in solving nonviolent crimes may have an impact on the prevention of violent crimes.
The following requirements apply to forensic casework DNA analyses conducted under this FY 2010 program:
- Every laboratory that conducts forensic casework DNA analyses under this program must undergo an external audit, not less than once every 2 years, that demonstrates compliance with the requirements of the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories established by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
- Every laboratory that conducts forensic casework DNA analyses under this program must be accredited by a nonprofit professional association of persons actively involved in forensic science that is nationally recognized within the forensic science community. This applies to:
- An accredited, government-owned laboratory operated by the applicant State or unit of local government.
- An accredited, government-owned laboratory operated by another government agency.
- An accredited fee-for-service laboratory.
- All eligible forensic DNA profiles obtained with funding from this program must be entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and, where applicable, uploaded to the National DNA Index System (NDIS). Laboratories must follow NDIS DNA Data Acceptance Standards for all profiles uploaded to NDIS.
- Each DNA analysis conducted under this program must be maintained pursuant to all applicable Federal privacy requirements, including those described in 42 U.S.C. § 14132(b)(3).
In general, budget requests for in-house handling, screening, and estimated analysis of forensic DNA casework samples will be reviewed on the basis of the estimated number of forensic DNA cases that meet both of the following criteria:
- Are awaiting analysis as of the application date, or are projected to be received as of September 30, 2010, and
- Will be analyzed during the award period with Federal funds provided under this announcement.
States or units of local government that are awarded funds for in-house laboratory handling, screening, and DNA analysis of forensic DNA cases will be expected to document the number of backlogged forensic DNA cases analyzed during the reporting period (see "Performance Measures" section below). The expected total number of backlogged DNA cases analyzed in- house during the entire project period should be based on a per-case estimate of no more than $1,000 (for analysis and, when applicable, upload to NDIS) averaged over all backlogged forensic DNA cases processed.
Example: An FY 2010 award with $N allocated specifically to overtime and supplies for in-house processing of backlogged forensic DNA casework in the proposed budget would be expected to process N/1,000 backlogged cases over the course of the project period. Therefore, if N = $20,000, a minimum of 20 cases would be expected to be analyzed in-house during the project period.
DNA Capacity Enhancement Projects
In addition to requesting funds to analyze forensic DNA casework samples, eligible applicants may request funds to increase the capacity of existing government crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis, including laboratories that focus on the analysis of convicted offender and/or arrestee DNA samples (DNA database samples). Areas and/or systems that may be considered for implementation, upgrade, and/or expansion to handle, screen, or analyze forensic DNA casework and/or DNA database samples more efficiently and cost effectively may include, but are not limited to:
- Basic Infrastructure Support: Public crime laboratories that currently conduct DNA analyses may utilize FY 2010 funds to obtain additional equipment and materials for use in basic DNA analysis processes, such as extraction, quantitation, amplification, fragment separation, and data analysis. Purchases that support basic infrastructure should help laboratories continue to meet or exceed Federal quality assurance standards.
- Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS): LIMS are software systems designed to manage samples, laboratory users, instruments, and other laboratory functions. Benefits of a LIMS may include automation of evidence-handling procedures that increases efficiency and integrity, assures proper chain-of-custody documentation and, overall, improves casework management.
- DNA Laboratory Operations: Strategic efficiency planning, which may include needs assessments, evaluations, workflow analyses, process mapping and, ultimately, the implementation of process improvements that increase the efficiency of public DNA laboratories.
- Automation Tools: Automation may be applied to both wet laboratory (e.g., robotic platforms) and data analysis (e.g., expert system software packages) processes. Automation tools allow crime laboratory personnel to streamline aspects of the DNA analysis procedures that are labor and/or time intensive. Automating DNA analysis procedures can increase analyst productivity and minimize human error caused by repetitive manual processing, thereby reducing the potential for contamination.
- Storage of Forensic Evidence That May Contain DNA: Forensic evidence that may contain DNA must be stored in a manner that ensures its integrity and maintains its availability throughout criminal investigations, judicial proceedings, and as required by law. Appropriate evidence storage conditions require equipment such as security systems, environmental control systems, ambient temperature monitors, and dehumidifiers. Improved evidence storage may offer benefits to DNA laboratories such as more efficient access to evidence for processing and higher success rates in obtaining DNA profiles with fewer processing attempts.
