U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that he secured $3,365,875 to reduce and eventually eliminate the backlog of forensic DNA casework in Ohio. These investments will provide needed technology and software to process DNA evidence in criminal cases, staff training, travel associated with training, and overtime pay to assist forensic laboratories in meeting expected caseloads and enhancing overall lab capacity.
“This investment will assist Ohio law enforcement in their efforts to test more DNA evidence in criminal cases,” said Brown. “These resources will help Ohio law enforcement clear cases more quickly, bring more criminals to justice, and prevent crime in our communities.”
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs has awarded the funds as Congressionally Directed Spending through the Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program. Brown helped secure this funding in the FY23 CDS requests he submitted.
Investments awarded include:
- $1,357,987 to the Attorney General of Ohio to purchase DNA testing supplies, repair and maintain equipment, and provide required trainings for forensic scientists.
- $396,006 to Cuyahoga County for forensic casework supplies and staff continuing education and accreditation.
- $388,271 to the City of Columbus to hire and train two police evidence technicians to assist with evidence collection and preparation, purchase additional DNA testing equipment and supplies, and provide continuing education and trainings to DNA analysts.
- $382,398 to Cuyahoga County to acquire more and upgraded DNA extraction platforms in order to process more cases in less time.
- $341,213 to Hamilton County to acquire needed instruments and supplies for DNA processing and decontamination, recertify critical equipment such as extraction robots, a liquid handling robot, and pipettes, and provide continuing education and trainings to DNA analysists.
- $250,000 to the City of Mansfield for personnel costs, overtime to maintain case processing turnaround time, continuing education and trainings for DNA analysts, and new DNA processing software and technologies.
- $250,000 to Lake County to maintain their primary DNA analyst as well as hire another analyst, and to purchase service contracts for current DNA laboratory equipment and software licenses.
Republished courtesy of Sherrod Brown