Politics & Government
Westchester County Receives $342K to Reduce DNA Evidence Backlog
U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, D-Harrison, announced Monday that Westchester County's Forensic Sciences Services received a $341,819 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to help reduce its backlog in DNA evidence.
Written by Rasheed Oluwa
Editor’s Note: The following release was submitted by the office U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, D-Harrison.
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The goal of the grant, which is being provided through the Department of Justice’s DNA Backlog Reduction Program, is to help states and local governments increase the capacity of existing crime laboratories so they can analyze DNA samples more efficiently and cost effectively, as well as reduce backlogs of DNA evidence.
Backlogs consists of two kinds of DNA samples: forensic evidence collected from crime scenes, victims, and suspects in criminal cases that often contains DNA, and DNA samples taken from convicted defenders and suspects under arrest in accordance with federal and state laws.
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The National Institute of Justice defines a backlogged DNA case as one that goes untested for 30 days or more once it has been submitted to a crime laboratory.
“DNA technology is an invaluable tool in fighting and solving crime. But as awareness of the potential of DNA samples in criminal investigations has grown, demand for analyzing DNA samples has outgrown the capacity of many crime laboratories around the country,” said Congresswoman Lowey. “This federal investment will enable our law enforcement officials in Westchester County to take full advantage of DNA technology so they can more effectively fight and solve crime.”Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
