To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Tyler Brown, Sheriff
Prepared By:
prepared
Kimberly Morrow, Laboratory Director, Unified Forensic Laboratory
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presenter
Presenter:
Kimberly Morrow, Laboratory Director, Unified Forensic Laboratory
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Subject:
title
Grant Opportunity: BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Competitive Grants Program
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
We are seeking approval from the BOCC to apply for the 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Competitive Grants Program. If awarded, the grant will support DNA analysis at the Unified Forensic Laboratory through the purchase of new instrumentation to simplify DNA extraction on sexual assault cases, as well as cover the costs for validation and implementation of the technology. Grant award amounts vary from partial to full funding based on application evaluation and available funds.
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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Safe and Healthy Communities - Advance public safety by strengthening partnerships across law enforcement, emergency response, and community stakeholders.
Background and Discussion: DNA Analysis continues to be a crucial part of the judicial system. A large focus, both state-wide and nationally in the field of forensics, is how to increase the capability of processing sexual assault evidence in a timely manner. New technology has been released that reduces the hands-on time for processing differential extractions, the primary approach for SANE kit testing. The UFL is seeking funds to obtain this technology and validate it for casework use in the DNA Unit.
This proprietary instrumentation is expected to cost ~$140,000. To comply with the FBI’s Quality Assurance Standards, extensive validation must take place prior to implementation. The UFL is also seeking ~$40,000 to cover the reagent costs for this validation.
Alternatives: Without the grant approval, the UFL will continue to perform labwork with the currently validated methods.
Fiscal Impact: There is no cost. All funds would be paid for out of the approved grant. The total grant request is expected to be $149,578.
Alignment with Strategic Implementation Strategies: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approving this request and moving forward with the grant application.
Concurrence: N/A