Subject:
Title
Grant award with the U.S. Department of Justice for the 2023 Competitive DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program on behalf of the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the grant award for the 2023 Competitive DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction on behalf of the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory (Forensic Lab).
• Grant award to provide one-time funding for the Forensic Lab.
• This competitive grant award will support Forensic Lab capacity to procure Rapid DNA technology, supplies, and validation services to streamline workflow.
• The grant award is in the amount of $329,091.00 over two years. No match is required for the grant.
• Approval of this grant award will have a positive fiscal impact on Pinellas County. It was not expected nor included in the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget.
Body
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 and efficiency of publicly funded forensic DNA laboratories to process more samples and reduce potential backlog of samples awaiting analysis. This grant was competitive and is providing funding for procurement of Rapid DNA technology, supplies, and validation services. The current process requires analysis of known DNA samples (submitted as buccal swabs) by extraction followed by quantitation followed by amplification and CE analysis. This process is completed by fully trained DNA analysts prior to any data interpretation. A more efficient process would be to eliminate the extraction process, eliminate the quantitation process and perform the analysis in one step using Rapid DNA technology. A Rapid DNA system will allow known samples to be efficiently taken through the DNA analysis process in approximately 90 minutes. A technician can operate the Rapid DNA system to create electropherograms that the DNA analysts will use to evaluate/interpret DNA results produced from potential CODIS eligible crime scene samples.
Body
Background Information:
Formula DNA grant awards have been received for fiscal years (FY) 2012 through 2023. This 2023 was a competitive opportunity and will be utilized for the procurement of Rapid DNA technology, supplies, and validation services.
Fiscal Impact:
The total grant award is $329,091.00 over two years and no match is required.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Department of Justice
Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory
Attachments:
Award Package from JustGrants