The jefferson county regional crime laboratory (jcrcl) is the agency responsible for analyzing evidence from criminal investigations in jefferson county, lakewood, arvada, wheat ridge, golden, and…

The Jefferson County Regional Crime Laboratory (JCRCL) in Colorado has been awarded a $331,592 Formula Grant by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the DNA Backlog Reduction Program (CFDA 16.741) to enhance its forensic biology operations. The grant funds will allow the JCRCL to reduce its DNA case backlog, decrease turnaround times for DNA analysis, provide continuing education for DNA analysts, and enable two staff members to attend a mandatory forensic workshop. The goal is to decrease the DNA case turnaround time to 45 days or less (currently 59 days) and reduce the backlog to no more than 100 cases over 30 days old. This award builds on prior DOJ grants that have allowed the JCRCL to make significant progress in reducing its DNA case backlog and analysis times.

The jefferson county regional crime laboratory (jcrcl) is the agency responsible for analyzing evidence from criminal investigations in jefferson county, lakewood, arvada, wheat ridge, golden, and other municipalities within jefferson county colorado. The forensic biology section of the jcrcl is responsible for conducting serological examinations and DNA analysis on evidence collected from crime scenes from jurisdictions within jefferson county. The jcrcl has faced budget shortfalls while continually facing an increase in DNA case submissions. Monies awarded in prior years have allowed the jcrcl to drastically reduce the number of backlogged cases and substantially decrease the turnaround time for the completion of DNA cases. The federal funding from this award will allow the jcrcl forensic biology section a way to continue to reduce the number of backlogged cases and to reduce the turnaround time for completion of DNA cases. This award will specifically be used toward reaching the following goals: 1.reduce the number of backlogged forensic biology cases. 2.reduce the turnaround time for completion of forensic biology cases. 3.provide all DNA analysts with required continuing education. 4.provide funding so two members can attend the mandatory two-day forensic workshop for grant recipients in washington DC. In 2024. The forensic biology section of the jcrcl hopes to decrease the turnaround time for completion of cases to 45 days or less (currently IT is 59 days) and reduce the number of backlogged cases with a target of no more than 100 cases that are greater than 30 days old with funds from this award.