COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

DATE:

September 14, 2009

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 6, 2009

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Sheriff Greg Munks

SUBJECT:

FY 2009-10 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Formula Grant Program

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

1.

Accepting the FY 2009-10 DNA Backlog Reduction Grant award in the amount of $117,916 for the Forensic Laboratory; and

2.

Authorizing the Sheriff or Sheriff’s designee to execute all necessary documents in connection with the grant including but not limited to contracts, agreements, amendments, and grant assurances.

BACKGROUND:

The Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory applied for and received funding in the amount of $117,916 for the federal FY 2009-10 DNA Backlog Reduction Grant Program. This funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. The funding period for this grant is October 1, 2009 to March 31, 2011. This program provides funding for forensic laboratories to enhance output of DNA-related evidence processing and reduce backlogs in this time-consuming scientific analysis process. There is no matching requirement for the DNA Backlog Reduction Grant. This is the fifth consecutive year that the Lab has received funding from this federal grant program.

DISCUSSION:

Analysis of the best use of the grant to increase output and reduce DNA processing backlog resulted in the grant-approved recommendation to fund training, purchase DNA kits and hire an extra-help employee.

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory plans to use funds from the DNA Backlog Reduction Program to send two Criminalists to training provided by the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS) 62^nd Annual Scientific Meeting held in Seattle, Washington from February 22 until February 27, 2010. During this meeting over 700 scientific papers, breakfast seminars, workshops, and other special events are presented to the attendees. The AAFS consists of 11 sections representing a wide range of forensic specialties, including Biology/DNA, and the annual scientific meeting gathers these professionals who present the most current information, research, and updates in this expanding field.

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory also plans to use funds from the DNA Backlog Reduction Program to purchase DNA Kits which will be used to validate laboratory instrumentation and to complete DNA training of existing Forensic Biology Unit staff in order to increase unit capacity, thereby reducing backlogged cases and turnaround times.

In addition to training and purchasing of chemicals, the Laboratory intends to hire an extra-help employee to support the Forensic Biology Unit staff by performing DNA casework and comprehensive technical reviews, thereby allowing analysts more time to perform casework and resulting in a lower backlog and quicker turnaround times.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form.

Approval of this grant award contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by promoting safe neighborhoods and achieving seamless services within the Forensic Laboratory.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2008-09
Actual

FY 2009-10
Projected

Reduction in the average number of days between submission of a DNA sample to a laboratory and the delivery of the test results to the requesting agency

154

120

Increase in DNA analysis throughput for the lab.

21

24

FISCAL IMPACT:

The FY 2009-10 DNA Reduction Grant award is $117,916. As this is an annual grant program, this funding has been included in the Sheriff’s Office FY 2009-10 Recommended Budget. There is no increase in the Net County Cost as a result of this transaction.