The denver police department (DPD) crime laboratory serves the city and county ofdenver by using forensic technology to solve crime, thereby increasing public safety

The City and County of Denver Police Department received a $471,012 Formula Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Comprehensive Forensic DNA Analysis Grant Program (CFDA 16.036). The grant, awarded on October 1, 2024, with a completion date of September 30, 2026, will support the department's crime laboratory in increasing the number of forensic DNA samples analyzed and enhancing the unit's processing capacity. Key activities include providing overtime for forensic scientists to conduct DNA casework, continuing to fund two forensic scientists and one subcontractor, employing a laboratory technician and administrative support assistant, and purchasing instruments to boost laboratory throughput. Additionally, the grant will fund analyst training to meet FBI quality assurance standards. The grant aims to help the Denver Police Department tackle a significant backlog of property crimes, sexual assaults, and homicides through advanced DNA analysis and meet national quality assurance requirements.

Thedpd crime laboratory forensic biology and DNA unit seeks federal support to increase the number of forensic samples analyzed by the unit and increase the units capacity to process forensic casework. The first goal to increase the number of forensic samples analyzed by the unit will be achieved by providing forensic scientists overtime to conduct forensic DNA casework and continuing to fund the employment of two forensic scientists and one subcontractor. The second goal to increase the units capacity will be achieved by continuing the employment of a laboratory technician and an administrative support assistant and purchase instruments to increase laboratory throughput. Additionally, to fulfill federal bureau of investigation quality assurance standards continuing education requirements for the units analysts, analysts will be sent to four external conferences. By implementing these measures, the DPD crime laboratory will target a significantbacklog of all case types (including property crimes, sexual assaults, and homicides) andcomply with national quality assurance standards.