Aug. 28, 2006

FEDERAL GRANTS
AIMED AT ENHANCING DNA ANALYSIS
BY KANSAS LAW ENFORCEMENT

WICHITA, KAN. – Two grants from the U.S. Department of Justice will help Kansas law enforcement agencies build up their DNA analysis laboratories.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs has announced the following grants:

– $276,300 to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
– $58,385 to Sedgwick County.

“The grants assist crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis to improve their infrastructure and their capacity so that DNA samples can be processed more efficiently and cost effectively,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren. “The goal is to prevent DNA backlogs and to help the criminal justice system realize the full potential of DNA technology.”

The Forensic DNA Capacity Enhancement Program is provided by the National Institute of Justice . The money can be used to purchase laboratory and computer equipment and certain kinds of supplies. Renovation of DNA lab facilities, as well as training and salaries for additional lab personnel also are approved uses for the grants. Grant money may not be spent on new construction, salaries for existing personnel or outsourcing lab work. To qualify, laboratories that apply for grant money must be accredited by a nonprofit professional association of forensic science and undergo external audits at least once every two years.

For more information about the DNA enhancement program, see

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/topics/forensics/dna/capacity/

 

 

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