The goal of this grant application for saki purpose area 6 is to utilize advanced DNA testing and research methodologies to help identify and apprehend violent offenders linked to homicides in the…

This $2,200,000 Project Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance under the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (CFDA 16.833) aims to utilize advanced DNA testing and research methodologies to help identify and apprehend violent offenders linked to homicides across the state of Idaho. The key products and services to be delivered through this 3-year grant include:

1. Adding a new SAKI site coordinator, two full-time investigative staff dedicated to homicide cases, and a criminal intelligence analyst to expand the state's capacity for investigating and solving unresolved violent crime cold cases.

2. Training new SAKI investigators, completing a statewide inventory of unresolved violent crime cold cases, and collaborating with local, county, and tribal entities to investigate, solve, and prosecute these cases.

3. Training new staff to conduct forensic genealogy searches to further the investigation work and support local law enforcement agencies.

4. Enhancing task force competencies and capabilities through cross-disciplinary training, especially related to investigating homicides with advanced DNA and forensic evidence.

5. Entering homicide cases into the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP) to help solve additional crimes.

The prime awardee for this grant is the Idaho State Police, leveraging its role as the central law enforcement agency for the state and administrator of criminal justice information systems.

The goal of this grant application for saki purpose area 6 is to utilize advanced DNA testing and research methodologies to help identify and apprehend violent offenders linked to homicides in the entire state of idaho. We have a unique arrangement with our local entities to provide resources and ensure the integrity and lawfulness of any familial searching or molecular genealogy searching in our state. We will leverage our partnerships, successes, and tenure to inform policies and practices in idaho and nationally. This goal will be achieved through the following deliverables: (1) add a new saki site coordinator for purpose area #6, adding two more full-time investigative staff dedicated to strictly homicide investigations, and adding more investigative resources such as a criminal intelligence analyst. (2) train the new full-time saki investigators, complete a statewide inventory of unresolved violent crime cold cases, and work with local, county, and tribal entities to investigate, solve, and prosecute these cases. (3) train new full-time staff to conduct forensic genealogy searches to further the investigation work and support local agencies. (4) enhance task force competencies and capabilities through cross-disciplinary training, especially as IT relates to investigating homicide cases with advanced DNA and the probative value of forensic evidence. (5) enter homicide cases into vicap to help solve additional crimes.