Title
The Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Fiscal Year 2022 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Grant Program
Action
Action:
Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant in the amount of $523,047 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance for DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Johnny Jennings, Police
Tonya Arrington, Police
Matthew Mathis, Police
Explanation
§ The goal of this grant program is to fund states and units of local governments with existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis to increase the capacity of publicly funded forensic DNA and DNA database laboratories to process more DNA samples. This will help to reduce the number of forensic DNA and DNA database samples waiting analysis and prevent a backlog of forensic and database DNA samples.
§ The grant will fund:
- four full-time positions: one Crime Laboratory Technician and three DNA Analysts;
- travel expenses for three crime lab employees to attend the award recipients’ 2-day forensic workshop located in Washington, D.C. The workshop will focus on the elements of a successful project and key issues addressing forensic DNA processing for National DNA Index System participating laboratories; and
- the purchase of supplies and equipment to enhance the CMPD Crime Lab’s DNA testing efforts.
§ The grant period is from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2024.
§ This grant does not require matching funds from the city.
Fiscal Note
Funding: General Grants Fund