The nysp biological sciences section includes both the casework & NYS DNA databank labs

Existing backlogs, rush/priority requests, hiring/staffing, optimal lab/office space, training of new and existing staff, assessment/validation projects, NYS legislation changes (EX: sexual offense evidence collection kits, familial searching and discovery) & covid-19 virus mitigation efforts are all challenges that hamper significant improvements within the biological sciences section. These challenges impact resources, efforts, time management and productivity - thus negatively effecting the ability to improve processing capacity or decrease turnaround times for codis eligible samples. Funding is requested from the BJA FY 2023 formula DNA cebr program to assist with overtime/fringe/indirect, travel, equipment, procurement contracts and other costs to continue to carry out, for inclusion in the combined DNA index system, DNA analyses of samples and to increase the capacity of the section to conduct DNA analyses of samples.