The columbus police crime laboratory proposes to utilize the capacity enhancement for backlog reduction program award to fund the salary and fringe benefits for two police evidence technicians,…

The City of Columbus was awarded a $400,919 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 will fund the following activities over a 2-year period from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026:

• Salaries and fringe benefits for two police evidence technicians to process crime scene samples for entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)
• Purchase of supplies, consumables, and thermal cyclers to increase the capacity of the Columbus Police Crime Laboratory to analyze DNA evidence
• Training opportunities for DNA section personnel to enhance their forensic analysis capabilities

This program aims to assist state and local forensic laboratories in reducing DNA processing backlogs, improving efficiency, and supporting criminal investigations through advanced DNA technologies.

The columbus police crime laboratory proposes to utilize the capacity enhancement for backlog reduction program award to fund the salary and fringe benefits for two police evidence technicians, purchase supplies and consumables, purchase thermal cyclers, and provide training opportunities to DNA section personnel.project objectives and timelines have been developed in support of this program, with the overarching goals to process crime scene samples for combined DNA index system (codis) entry and increasethe capacity to process crime scene samples. This will aid in police investigations to support the safety of all residents in the city of columbus.