15PBJA22GG01605DNAX

The Kern County District Attorney’s Office - Forensic Science Division (Kern Regional Crime Laboratory) continues to make significant strides towards advancing the DNA technologies available at the laboratory, increasing the services provided, improving casework production, and maintaining a minimal backlog with the help of funding provided by the DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Programs.

Annually, the unit is averaging 600 completed cases, 2700 DNA samples processed, and over 200 profiles uploaded to CODIS. The unit recently reduced the DNA backlog to zero and the average turnaround time to under 60 days. The unit has operated with reduced staffing levels since the end of 2019 but is currently filling vacant positions this fiscal year.

Together, the unit strives to accomplish the following goals:

1. Work new cases as soon as possible with completion of all DNA cases within 60 days of receipt;
2. Maintain a minimal backlog; and
3. Stay on the forefront of DNA technology and advancements by acquiring new instrumentation and methodology, validating these new systems and implementing them into our current workflow.

The laboratory requests grant funds to purchase the following:

1. Consumables associated with running DNA casework samples using both the current CE-based workflow and the new NGS-based workflow.
2. Continued funding of a forensic technician position.
3. Addition of uninterrupted power supply for all DNA instruments.
4. Replacement of the current out-of-date CODIS server.
5. Purchase of a test CODIS server.
6. Travel expenses for mandatory annual grant training for 1 DNA unit member (Washington, D.C.).

The laboratory relies heavily on grant funds to achieve the desired goals. Without this assistance, the unit will not be able to maintain current productivity levels and may experience negative effects in casework by power loss issues and delays from the old CODIS server. The laboratory is committed to better serving our customers and the citizens of Kern County through advancements and new technologies and believe these requested items will allow us to accomplish this.

Kern County Dist Attorney Office

BJA'S DNA CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT FOR BACKLOG REDUCTION PROGRAM (CEBR) ASSISTS STATES AND UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT WITH EXISTING CRIME LABORATORIES TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF PUBLIC FORENSIC DNA AND DNA DATABASE LABORATORIES TO PROCESS MORE DNA SAMPLES FOR THE FBI'S COMBINED DNA INDEX SYSTEM (CODIS) - THEREBY HELPING TO: REDUCE THE NUMBER OF FORENSIC DNA AND DNA DATABASE SAMPLES AWAITING ANALYSIS AND PREVENT A BACKLOG OF FORENSIC AND DATABASE DNA SAMPLES. CEBR'S GOAL IS TO STRENGTHEN EVIDENCE-BASED CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSES BY INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF PUBLICLY FUNDED FORENSIC DNA AND DNA DATABASE LABORATORIES TO PROCESS MORE DNA SAMPLES, THEREBY HELPING TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SAMPLES AWAITING ANALYSIS. ELIGIBLE ENTITIES MUST PARTICIPATE IN THE FBI'S NATIONAL DNA INDEX SYSTEM AND UPLOAD ELIGIBLE PROFILES TO THE COMBINED DNA INDEX SYSTEM. UNDER THIS PROGRAM, IN GENERAL, ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, BASED ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, TO DETERMINE WHAT PORTION OF THEIR ANTICIPATED FUNDING SHOULD BE USED FOR CAPACITY BUILDING PURPOSES AND WHAT PORTION SHOULD BE USED FOR ANALYSIS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: HTTPS://BJA.OJP.GOV/PROGRAM/DNA-CEBR/OVERVIEW.

16.741 - DNA Backlog Reduction Program

Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) [DOJ - OJP]

Bakersfield, California 93301-4619 United States

Single Zip Code

FY 22 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program (Formula) (O-BJA-2022-171344)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have decreased 2% from $403,171 to $394,874.