As part of the forensic DNA capacity enhancement and backlog reduction program, the miami-dade police department (mdpd) forensic services division (FSD) crime laboratory (CL) will receive funding from…

The Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) Forensic Services Division Crime Laboratory received a $821,477 Formula Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the Comprehensive Forensic DNA Analysis Grant Program (CFDA 16.036). The funding will be used to continue increasing the laboratory's capacity to analyze DNA samples, reduce DNA sample processing turnaround time, and reduce the number of backlogged DNA cases awaiting analysis. Specifically, the grant will fund seven positions, including four criminalists to process cases, two police crime scene technicians to support daily forensic biology tasks, and one criminalist supervisor for mitochondrial DNA analysis of unidentified human remains. Additionally, the grant provides overtime funding to process cases that cannot be completed during standard work hours, as well as funding for staff training and attending national DNA conferences. This funding from the BJA's DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction program aims to generate more DNA profiles for entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), thereby aiding criminal investigations and enhancing public safety in Miami-Dade County.

As part of the forensic DNA capacity enhancement and backlog reduction program, the miami-dade police department (mdpd) forensic services division (FSD) crime laboratory (CL) will receive funding from the bureau of justice assistance based on data obtained from the 2022 florida uniform crime report. The FSD CL proposes to utilize these funds to continue to increase the laboratorys capacity to analyze samples, reduce the DNA sample processing turnaround time, and reduce the number of backlogged DNA cases awaiting analysis. The mdpd FSD CL will continue to fund seven positions with this award. Four criminalists will process cases submitted to the forensic biology section (FBS) to include serological and DNA analysis. Two police crime scene technicians will perform FBS daily tasks such as preparing reagents, monitoring levels of inventory, receiving/stocking all supplies and consumables, cleaning glassware, maintaining instruments, and preparing/initiating rapid DNA sample processing. Additionally, one criminalist supervisor will be responsible for the identification of unidentified human remains via mitochondrial DNA analysis. The FBS prioritizes and processes all violent crimes cases such as sexual assaults and homicides; however, property crime cases comprise a majority of the DNA case submissions. To manage current and future case analysis requests in a timely manner, overtime funding from this award will be utilized to process cases that cannot be completed during the standard 40-hour work schedule. Overtime funds will also be utilized to complete FBS validation projects. Furthermore, funds are being requested to cover associated fees for attendance at national DNA conferences in support of continuing education requirements set forth by the federal bureau of investigation quality assurance standards for forensic DNA testing laboratories. Through funding from this award, the FSD CL will continue to analyze DNA cases efficiently and within a timely manner. This funding will generate more DNA profiles for codis entry and aid more investigations, further contributing to the safety of miami-dade countys residents.