The louisiana commission on law enforcement (lcle) seeks to decrease all the state crime labs backlogs and decrease the sample turnaround times

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded a $1,557,944 Formula Grant under the Comprehensive Forensic DNA Analysis Grant Program (CFDA 16.036) to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE). The grant will fund efforts to decrease DNA sample backlogs and turnaround times across Louisiana's regional crime labs and the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. Specific objectives include purchasing DNA analysis equipment and software, providing training and overtime for lab personnel, and maintaining critical forensic instruments. LCLE will execute sub-awards with the grant funds to five regional forensic laboratories, one parish coroner's office, and the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab to support these goals. Key sub-awardees include the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission, St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office, and Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory.

In 2014, the louisiana state legislature mandated that each law enforcement agency report and monitor the testing of sexual assault kits. The state of louisiana is facing stricter budgets, which directly impacts the funding available to all crime labs in the state. This reduction in funding could reduce the funding available for laboratory staff, supplies, equipment, service contracts, and training. The proposed 2024 DNA capacity enhancement and backlog reduction program award will be used by louisiana to continue the work and success of previous years efforts and funding. Efforts will be directed toward the goals of improving the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner services; eliminating or reducing the backlog of analysis of forensic science evidence; and training. Lcle will execute sub-awards with 2024 grant funds to five regional forensic laboratories (acadiana criminalistics laboratory, city of new orleans police department, north louisiana criminalistics commission, jefferson parish sheriffs office, and southwest louisiana criminalistics laboratory), one parish coroners office (ST. Tammany parish coroners office), and the louisiana state police crime lab. These funds will be used for specific objectives supporting the above stated goals including overtime for personnel, travel, training and registration expenses, equipment and supply purchases, equipment maintenance agreements, and consultants/contracts.