Making more office space, calculating the amount of DNA staff needed to work DNA backlogs, and creating more storage space are issues common to DNA labs today.

“Who did the deed?” This is one of the most important questions asked when a crime has been committed. Increasingly, that question is answered by the analysis of DNA evidence. This article will discuss three issues that DNA units may be facing as the need for DNA analysis increases, and offer solutions to them in turn.

These issues are: how to provide office space for new staff members, how to decide the number of new staff needed based on increases in the number of cases worked, and what to do with the evidence being saved as additional types of DNA services are being offered. I will use the following example to discuss the issues:

The Biology Laboratory would like to add at least 30 new staff in order to decrease the case turnaround time and to decrease the case backlog. The current staff of 12 does not provide enough manpower to analyze the number of cases each month that are being received. The current laboratory backlog is greater than 800 cases, while case turnaround time including serology and DNA analysis averages approximately one year. Adding 30 new positions to the laboratory will allow cases to be worked as they are submitted and will provide enough staff to facilitate a decrease in the backlog. The additional staff will also decrease the case turnaround time to the laboratory’s goal of 45 days.

Finding Office Space for Everyone
The need for more staff is not uncommon in DNA labs across the country or even internationally. However, where do you put all these new staff? Finding or subdividing laboratory space to accommodate this increase in staff may be easier than finding each of them an office.We have all seen staff double up in the laboratory but it is difficult to double up in one’s office.

The Solution
Hoteling (office hoteling) is a practice that provides office space on an as needed basis. Rather than each person having an assigned desk, desks are available as-needed or by reservation. This will provide the agency with the capacity of office space for those who need it when they need it. However it does require a phone and data system that will provide each staff member with their own telephone number extension and voice mailbox.