Title
U.S. Department of Justice FY 2017 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program
Action
Action:
Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice in the amount of $331,814 to continue funding four existing DNA positions and a quality assurance audit in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department DNA Crime Laboratory Division.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Kerr Putney, Police
Bruce Bellamy, Police
Matthew Mathis, Police
Explanation
* Annually, since 2006, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program.
* The U.S Department of Justice DNA Backlog Reduction grant for Fiscal Year 2016 currently funds four existing grant positions.
* By November 13, 2017, the City of Charlotte must accept the Fiscal Year 2017 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program grant award for the performance of DNA analysis on current and active cases.
* The Biology Unit of CMPD's Crime Laboratory Division continues to experience an increase in the demands for DNA testing. Currently, the Biology Unit tests cases including, but not limited to, homicides, rapes, robberies, and property crimes (e.g. burglaries).
* DNA Backlog Reduction grant funds will allow the Biology Unit to process more DNA samples, thereby helping to reduce the number of forensic DNA and DNA database samples awaiting analysis.
* The grant funds are to be used to help decrease the backlog of cases with DNA evidence by providing:
* $138,420 will fund two Criminalist DNA Analysts for 12 months.
* $52,251 will fund one DNA Analyst Trainee for 12 months. At the completion of the training period, the DNA Analyst Trainee will be qualified to assume full DNA analysis duties.
* $47,749 will fund a DNA Laboratory Technician for 12 months. The DNA Laboratory Technician reviews requests for DNA analysis, conducts quality control checks of instruments, makes nece...
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