The hamilton county coroner's office and laboratory continues to face budgetary challenges that affect the supplies budget and the ability of the laboratory to implement new technology

The Hamilton County Coroner's Office and Laboratory received a $341,213 Formula Grant award from the Bureau of Justice Assistance under the DNA Backlog Reduction Program (CFDA 16.741). The funding will be used to: 1) Increase the DNA analysis capacity of the laboratory by purchasing a tissue lysing instrument and a UV crosslinker to prepare and decontaminate samples from unidentified human remains; 2) Reduce the laboratory's backlog of 253 forensic biology/DNA cases by purchasing critical reagents and supplies to process the cases in-house; 3) Recertify critical DNA analysis equipment like extraction robots and pipettes as required; and 4) Provide continuing education and professional development for the laboratory's DNA analysts, including purchasing proficiency tests and conducting an external quality assurance audit. The grant award period is from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2025.

This award will ensure uninterrupted processing of forensic biology/DNA codis eligible evidence that would otherwise be curtailed. The budgetary challenges have also adversely affected the hamilton county coroners laboratorys efforts to purchase additional instrumentation to increase capacity and keep up with emerging technologies. The hamilton county coroners crime laboratory services the law enforcement agencies within hamilton county, ohio. The hamilton county coroners laboratory plans to increase the capacity of the DNA section by purchasing a tissue lysing instrument to prepare bone and tooth samples from unidentified human remains for DNA analysis and subsequent entry into the codis database, if necessary. Grant funds will also be used to pay for an additional UV crosslinker instrument to be used for decontaminating DNA supplies and consumables. The lab will reduce the backlog of forensic biology/DNA cases awaiting analysis by at least 253 cases. Grant funds will permit the purchasing of critical reagents and supplies necessary for the processing of these backlogged cases. The laboratory will process these cases in-house using existing procedures and recently upgraded equipment. All eligible profiles generated from processing these backlogged cases will be entered into the codis database. The hamilton county coroners laboratory plans to use grant funding to maintain the quality of DNA examinations in the laboratory. This grant will fund the RE-certification of critical equipment such as extraction robots, the liquid handling robot, and pipettes. Lastly, grant funds will allow for the continuing education and professional development of the DNA analysts, fund the purchase of proficiency tests for analysts, as well as fund an external quality assurance DNA audit, as required by the FBI QAS document. With reduced financial support from the local government, this federal funding will allow for the purchase of equipment that will enhance the capacity of the DNA section. IT will permit the purchase of critical reagents and other supplies necessary for the processing of backlogged cases for input into the codis database. This grant will fund the RE-certification of critical equipment as required by the FBI QAS document. The monies will also allow for the continuing education and professional development of the DNA analysts, as required by the FBI QAS document.