The santa clara county district attorneys crime laboratory (sccdacl) has a backlog of samples awaiting analysis, and due to assembly bill (AB) 1517, california state senate bill 22, and the attorney…

The County of Santa Clara, through its Santa Clara County Crime Laboratory, was awarded a $466,551 Formula Grant under the Comprehensive Forensic DNA Analysis Grant Program (CFDA 16.036) administered by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance. The grant funding will be used to enhance the laboratory's DNA analysis capabilities and address a backlog of DNA samples awaiting processing. Specifically, the grant will support a criminalist position, a laboratory information management system, STRmix software licenses, new DBLR DNA analysis software, and replacement of an older QIAcube DNA extraction instrument. These investments aim to increase the laboratory's capacity to process DNA evidence, enter profiles into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), and reduce the backlog of DNA cases. The grant award period is from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026.

The santa clara county district attorneys crime laboratory (sccdacl) has a backlog of samples awaiting analysis, and due to assembly bill (AB) 1517, california state senate bill 22, and the attorney generals report about processing non-investigative report sexual assault forensic evidence (safe) kits, the sccdacl has observed an increase in samples submitted for DNA analysis. Additionally, the district attorney's office implemented a 7-day turnaround time for integrated ballistic identification system (ibis) entry, which now requires the DNA unit to swab cartridge casings timelier. The DNA unit will use grant funding towards a criminalist position; a support/service agreement for the DNA laboratory information management system (lims); a support/service agreement for strmix licenses; new software called dblr (database likelihood ratios) and validation of this software; a qiacube connect to replace an older qiacube unit that is being phased out (not yet obsolete); and foster and freeman alternate light source goggles. The outcome includes backlogged DNA cases will be processed to enter profiles into the combined DNA index system and increase capacity.