Reducing sample turnaround times for combined DNA index system (codis) entry is a priority at the forensic science laboratory of the westchester county new york division of forensic sciences

The Westchester County Division of Forensic Sciences received a $386,892 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Comprehensive Forensic DNA Analysis Grant Program (CFDA 16.036). The funding will be used to increase the capacity of the forensic laboratory to perform DNA analysis and reduce the backlog of DNA cases. Specific activities supported by the grant include purchasing supplies and new equipment, providing training opportunities, funding overtime, hiring temporary laboratory staff, and undergoing an external audit to maintain compliance with FBI quality standards. The goal is to enable the laboratory to screen, analyze, and record forensic DNA samples in a timely manner, reduce turnaround times, and increase the number of DNA profiles uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The award period is from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026.

Funding from this grant will go toward satisfying two ends: to increase the capacity to perform DNA analysis and reduce the backlog of DNA cases. This funding will help increase the number of DNA samples analyzed and uploaded to the codis, and reduce the backlog created by uncompleted forensic casesthe accomplishment of these goals is in line with their pledge to furnish DNA results to investigating agencies in a timely manner. The laboratory has been online with short tandem repeat (STR) DNA typing since 1999.in twenty-five years, the demands on and expectations of, all forensic case working laboratories have intensified. These demands on the laboratory have caused an increase in analytical turnaround which has required that the typing techniques employed be increasingly more sophisticated.currently the laboratory employs nuclear STR typing and y-STR typing techniques and has incorporated probabilistic genotyping into our interpretation. In addition, the new federal bureau of investigation quality assurance standards, which took effect in july 2020, have imposed additional requirements for casework analysis and mixture interpretation. To maintain pace with evolving trends and national accreditation standards for DNA analysis, the laboratory has several requirements: access to supplies and new equipment, training opportunities, travel funds, overtime, the capability to hire temporary laboratory support staff, and an inspection to be in compliance with the FBI biannual external audit requirement. This funding will enable to screen, analyze and record forensic DNA samples in a timely manner, thus reducing turnaround time. IT will also increase the number of samples uploaded to codis. The momentum created by an optimized workflow will reduce future bottlenecks at the examination, analytical, and review stages of casework by minimizing current backlog. New york state law mandates testing of all rape kits, the laboratory must examine the kits and upload codis eligible DNA profiles in a set time frame. The funding from this grant is especially important in helping meet those requirements. With this grant funding would enable to reach the goals of processing and increasing the capacity to process more DNA samples for entry into codis; continue the trend of providing the most probative case results to the requesting agency in a timely manner; and increase capacity to complete casework.