The oakland police department crime laboratory proposes to implement the FY24 DNA capacity enhancement backlog reduction program

The City of Oakland Police Department Crime Laboratory was awarded a $409,324 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, effective October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2026, will enable the Crime Lab to implement the FY24 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program. Key objectives include analyzing at least 257 backlogged forensic biology/DNA cases, reducing average turnaround time to 60 business days, and uploading eligible DNA profiles to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Project activities will involve purchasing DNA testing supplies and equipment, providing staff training, and maintaining instrumentation to enhance the lab's DNA processing capacity and efficiency.

The purpose is to increase the number of cases analyzed, reduce the DNA case turnaround time, and reduce the backlog of DNA cases for the citizens of the city of oakland community. Project activities include the purchase of DNA testing supplies and reagents, the purchase of components for a liquid handler instrument, the purchase of annual upgrade and preventative maintenance contracts, and providing continuing education and training opportunities to our scientists. The expected outcomes include: analysis of at least 257BACKLOGGED forensic biology/DNA cases; reduction of turnaround time from assignment to the scientist to completion of the case report (including review time) to 60 business days on average; and the entry of DNA profiles obtained from probative evidence into the combined DNA index system (codis) and uploaded to the national DNA index system (ndis) where applicable. The decrease in turnaround time and the increase in the number of DNA samples analyzed will enable the lab to increase the number of cases completed annually thus reducing the backlog.