This proposal will provide funding to enable the pennsylvania state police, bureau of forensic services (PSP-BFS) to increase its capacity to analyze crime scene samples for upload into codis

The Department of State Police Pennsylvania was awarded a $531,983 Project Grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance under the DNA Backlog Reduction Program (CFDA 16.741) to increase its capacity to analyze crime scene samples for upload into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The funding will be used to purchase new liquid handling robotic instruments, perform validation studies, and implement streamlined laboratory methods to maximize throughput and reduce the number of days to complete DNA cases. The grant will also cover overtime, fringe benefits, and consumables for DNA personnel to validate, train, and performance check the new instruments. During the 2-year award period from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2025, the goal is to process crime scene samples more efficiently, reduce DNA backlogs, and report results to law enforcement agencies more quickly.

By increasing the laboratorys capacity, IT is anticipated to reduce the number of days to complete DNA cases and report the results to law enforcement agencies. Project activities include funds to purchase new liquid handling robotic instruments and perform the necessary validation studies in compliance with FBI quality assurance standards. These new liquid handling robotic instruments will replace older models that are frequently out of service and need repairs. This proposal will also streamline laboratory methods in order to maximize throughput in the analysis of casework samples. Overtime and fringe benefits are for DNA personnel to validate, train, and performance check the new instruments using the currently validated STR testing kits. Funds are also being sought to purchase the STR testing kits used to upload crime scene samples into codis. Funding will also cover the necessary consumables to conduct the studies. In order to implement these instruments more quickly, funding will be needed to train the existing staff and conduct competency testing by purchasing STR testing kits. The forensic DNA division provides DNA analysis for the entire commonwealth at no cost to law enforcement agencies. This includes 67 counties and over 900 police agencies. The PSP-BFS is an anab-accredited laboratory system with six (6) regional crime laboratories and one (1) forensic DNA division. The six (6) regional laboratories screen biological evidence and submit probative items to the DNA division as well as provide other services such drug analysis, firearms, documents, and latent prints. The forensic DNA division is the state site for codis within the commonwealth which includes the DNA convicted offender databank. All eligible DNA profiles are uploaded into ndis. At the end of the grant period, the laboratorys aim is to process crime scene samples more efficiently and increase the laboratorys capacity. By decreasing the number of days for a case to be completed, DNA profiles can be uploaded into codis more quickly and reduce current and anticipated DNA backlogs. IT is hoped this grant will enable this laboratory to report DNA case results and codis hits to law enforcement agencies more quickly.