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CONSIDERATION OF A NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE (NIJ) 2017 CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT AND BACKLOG REDUCTION PROGRAM GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $99,990 FOR NEW DNA LABORATORY INSTRUMENTATION.
Presented by: Dr. Timothy Rohrig, Director, Regional Forensic Science Center.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the application for the grant, and if awarded authorize acceptance of the grant, the establishment of budget authority as provided in the Financial Considerations section of this Request.
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The Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center (RFSC) is an independent local government agency which serves all Sedgwick County, Kansas Law Enforcement agencies. In 2016, Sedgwick County increased the number of full time positions in the DNA section with the addition of one scientist. Currently, all five full time Biology/DNA Section positions are filled with qualified case-working scientists.
A multidisciplinary task force convened in Kansas to determine the number of untested kits statewide and the study revealed that over half of the untested kits reside in Sedgwick County. The heightened awareness and increase in reported sexual assaults have resulted in a dramatic increase in submissions. Like other states, expanded kit testing is anticipated in Kansas which would result in the submission of substantially more sexual assault kits for biological testing. Should 100% testing be required, the RFSC would be faced with a capacity crisis.
To address the caseload challenge, the Center is requesting resources to enhance the quantification/sexual assault screening process and to replace equipment that is no longer supported or 20+ years old. Specifically, an additional real-time PCR workstation would be purchased, along with validation chemistry to enable validation and potential development of expedited screening for male DNA on sexual assault samples. There is also a clear need for acquisition of replacement thermal cyclers since current casework models have been discontinu...
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