Subject:
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Grant Award Acceptance from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) National Institute of Justice (NIJ) of the DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Grant that will continue funding the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of grant award documents to accept funding for the 2017 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Grant (DNA Grant).
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and 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 county services and support
Summary:
The DNA Grant award totals $227,037.00 and funds the costs of one (1) full time DNA Analyst, one (1) part-time DNA Analyst, equipment purchases, and supplies to maintain processing of Pinellas County Forensic Lab’s (PCFL) DNA lab submissions.
The additional award is a continuation of DNA grant funding for positions and expenses initiated in Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12) and continuing through FY17. The grant helps to maintain capacity within PCFL. Since 2011, the number of cases submitted to PCFL has consistently increased with a significant spike from 2014 to 2016 (64%).
Year Cases Submitted to PCFL
2011 871
2012 1109
2013 1129
2014 1211
2015 1586
2016 1990
PCFL expects to complete 250 additional DNA cases and conduct 150 additional technical reviews with the DNA Grant funding.
Background/Explanation:
The DNA Grant funds staff support to aid with the current workload of the forensic lab. In recent years, PCFL has experienced an increase in workload from the growing demand for DNA tests on property crimes and sex assault cases.
The Medical Examiner initially sought and received a grant under the DNA Grant program in FY12. This additional award continues to fund the 1.5 DNA analyst positions and provides funding for DNA processing overtime, supplies, and equipment.
The full-time Analyst is responsible for DNA analysis for forensic casework to include extraction, amplification, interpretation, and testimony of profiles as well as technical review of other analysts’ casework. The part-time Analyst is responsible for DNA analysis for forensic casework as well as extensive technical review duties.
The DNA Grant also allows for the purchase of DNA kits (extraction, quantitation, and amplification) for use by grant-funded analysts in case work submitted to the laboratory from local criminal justice agencies.
Fiscal Impact:
DNA Grant award of $227,037.00 over 24 months. There are no matching funds or County dollars required for this grant. The revenues and expenditures anticipated during Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) are included in the FY18 Adopted Budget.
The DNA Grant period is two (2) years, from 01/01/2018 - 12/31/2019.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this grant acceptance and related certifications is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory at the District Six Medical Examiner’s Office
DOJ/OJP/NIJ
Attachments:
DOJ Award Acceptance Documents
DNA Grant Program Narrative
Intent to Apply