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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
Sheriff’s Office
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DATE:
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October 20, 2010
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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November 9, 2010
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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None
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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4/5ths
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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Sheriff Greg Munks
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SUBJECT:
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FY 2010 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program
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RECOMMENDATION:
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A.
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Adopt a Resolution:
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1.
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Accepting the FY 2010 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program grant in the amount of $163,633; and
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2.
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Authorizing the Sheriff or Sheriff’s designee to execute all necessary documents in connection with the grant including but not limited to agreements, amendments, and grant assurances.
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B.
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Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $163,633 from Unanticipated Revenue to various accounts for the expenditure of the grant. (4/5ths vote required)
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BACKGROUND:
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The Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program, through the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, offers an opportunity for States and units of local government with existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis to handle, screen, and analyze backlogged forensic DNA casework samples, as well as to improve DNA laboratory infrastructure and analysis capacity so that forensic DNA samples can be processed efficiently and cost effectively. These improvements are critical to preventing future DNA backlogs and to helping the criminal justice system use the full potential of DNA technology.
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As of September 30, 2010, the Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory had an estimated 430 backlogged cases awaiting DNA analysis. A backlogged case, as defined by the National Institute of Justice, is one that has not been tested 30 days after submission to the laboratory.
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DISCUSSION:
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The Sheriff's Office applied for and has been awarded the FY 2010 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program grant in the amount of $163,633, for a period of 18 months, commencing October 1, 2010 through March 31, 2012. Funding will assist with overall turnaround time for the handling, screening, and analysis of forensic DNA samples, increase the throughput of the Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory, and reduce existing DNA forensic casework backlogs.
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Funds from the DNA Backlog Reduction Program will be applied towards: 1) overtime for existing Criminalists in the Forensic Biology Section; 2) the purchase of software (Themis and GeneMapper); 3) the purchase of a freezer and microcentrifuges; and 4) the purchase of supplies such as DNA Kits. The remaining funds will be applied towards contract services to support the Forensic Biology Unit.
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County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form.
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Approval of this grant award contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by preventing future DNA backlogs and to help the criminal justice system use the full potential of DNA technology.
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PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
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Measures
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FY 2010-11
Target
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FY 2011-12
Target
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Average number of days between the submission of a request for DNA analysis to the Forensic Laboratory and the delivery of the test results.
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204
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175
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Average number of DNA samples analyzed per analyst
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20 per month
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24 per month
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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The FY 2010 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program grant award is for the amount of $163,633, for a period commencing October 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012. This grant does not require any matching County funds. There is no Net County Cost.
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