Subject:
Title
Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice for the 2020 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction program on behalf of the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the grant award for the 2020 DNA Capacity Enhancement Backlog Reduction Grant (DNA Grant) on behalf of the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory (Forensic Lab).
• This DNA Grant provides recurring funding for the Forensic Lab.
• This is the 9th year the Forensic Lab has received the DNA Grant with previous DNA Grant awards received for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 through FY19.
• The funding provides support to reduce backlogs through 1.5 DNA Analyst positions along with necessary equipment and supplies.
• The Forensic Lab can analyze a minimum of 300 additional DNA cases and perform 200 additional reviews with this continued funding.
• In 2019, 1,658 DNA cases were submitted to Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory for analysis and 1,853 DNA cases were submitted in 2020, an increase of 10.8%.
• The grant award is in the amount of $294,635.00 for two years. No match is required.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety & Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of the county services and support
Summary:
Summary
The DNA program seeks to increase the capacity of publicly funded forensic DNA laboratories to process more samples and reduce potential backlog of samples awaiting analysis. This grant continues to provide annual recurring funding to supplement the Forensic Lab with 1.5 DNA Analyst positions and equipment/supply purchases to maintain DNA case workload.
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Background Information:
This is the 9th year the Forensic Lab has received the DNA Grant with previous DNA grant awards received for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 through FY2019. The grant award continues funding for positions, equipment, and supplies. In addition, it allows the laboratory to analyze a minimum of 300 additional DNA cases and perform 200 additional technical reviews that would not be completed based upon non-grant resources. In 2019, 1,658 DNA cases were submitted to PCFL for analysis and 1,853 DNA cases were submitted in 2020, an increase of 10.8%.
Fiscal Impact:
The grant award of $294,635.00 is for two years, and no match is required. The grant was anticipated and included in the FY21 Adopted Budget.
Staff Member Responsible:
Daisy Rodriguez, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Department of Justice
Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory
Attachments:
Grant Award