The richland county sheriffs department is currently seeking funds to enhance its capacity for DNA analysis through the DNA backlog reduction program formula grant FY 2023

The Richland County Sheriff's Department received a $250,000 Formula Grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance under the DNA Backlog Reduction Program (CFDA 16.741) to enhance its forensic DNA analysis capacity. The funding will support the re-employment of a full-time DNA analyst and technician, as well as the purchase of upgraded biorobot instruments to increase efficiency and processing throughput. This is expected to enable the laboratory to maintain a throughput of 54 DNA samples per month, preventing an estimated 30% reduction in capacity that would occur without the grant-funded personnel. The award period is from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2025. The goal is to reduce backlogs of forensic DNA cases and enable more DNA profiles to be entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) to aid criminal investigations in Richland County.

With the implementation of this grant, the following goals will be achieved; reduction of backlogged DNA cases and increase laboratory capacity with the objective of an overall reduction in violent and nonviolent crimes in richland county through a continuation of current analyst throughput (54 samples/month). Without the grant-funded RE-employment of the full time analyst and the full time technician, laboratory case throughput will be reduced by approximately 30 percent. The project plan/method is to utilize the grant-funded full time analyst and full time technician along with the two county-funded full time DNA analysts and existing laboratory infrastructure to enhance casework capabilities. Funds will be used to purchase an upgraded biorobot instruments to increase efficiency and grow capacity. Annual training for the DNA analysts will allow for required continuing education.