Implementation of a DNA Triage and Analysis System Dedicated to. Increasing the Throughput of High Volume Crimes in a Forensic Laboratory.

摘要

A two-fold approach was adopted in Orange County, California to improve the efficiency and capacity of the Orange County Crime Lab (OCCL) to screen and process property crime DNA evidence to meet the increasing demand of County law enforcement investigators for property crime DNA analysis. This Property Crime DNA Program featured the utilization of a sophisticated DNA case submission and triage system and the adoption of a team approach to process biological evidence from property crimes using a newly created high volume crime DNA platform. The Property Crime Triage System that included the utilization of a new case submission process was cooperatively developed and implemented by the OCCL and the Orange County District Attorneys Office (OCDA). Together, members from both entities evaluated DNA analysis requests submitted to the lab from County police agencies. While forensic DNA analysts examined property crime DNA analysis requests from a scientific basis; prosecutors evaluated the same requests from a legal perspective. The OCCL DNA Section developed and implemented the OCCL Property Crime High Volume DNA Platform. DNA analysts were assigned to a team that was devoted exclusively to the processing of property crime DNA samples using a customized scheduling system and a highly automated DNA processing platform. Team members worked together to screen, analyze and expeditiously deliver property crime scene DNA sample results each week. The Property Crime High Volume DNA Platform teams utilized both existing equipment and new instrumentation purchased using 2009 DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement Grant funds.