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OSBI requests $2.5 million to expand rapid DNA network and $1 million for phased instrument upgrades
Summary
Acting OSBI Director Steven Carter asked legislators for $2.5 million to expand rapid DNA testing across Oklahoma and $1 million annually to phase replacement of aging forensic instruments, saying the programs would speed investigations and reduce lab backlogs.
Acting Director Steven Carter told the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is seeking one‑time and recurring budget items to expand a statewide rapid DNA program and to replace aging forensic instruments.
“The OSBI was founded in 1925. We serve as the state's premier criminal investigative agency responding 24/7, 365 days a year,” Acting Director Steven Carter said as he introduced the agency’s budget priorities and staff.
Why it matters: OSBI said rapid DNA testing and targeted instrument replacements would shorten investigative timelines, reduce laboratory backlog and help link firearms and biological evidence to offenders more quickly. OSBI officials told the committee they have already stood up a single rapid DNA instrument and are running samples while seeking funding to expand access.
Funding requests and program details: OSBI’s two primary asks presented to the subcommittee were a $2.5 million one‑time appropriation to expand rapid DNA capabilities statewide (including mobile rapid DNA deployment via a planned Mobile Analysis Command unit) and a $1 million recurring appropriation to establish a tiered forensic instrument replacement plan. Division Director Janice Jocelyn described the rapid‑DNA pilot as “wildly successful so far” and emphasized that expansion includes instruments, IT infrastructure, site reconfiguration and consumable reagents.
OSBI said the mobile analysis command (MAC) unit design is complete and that $1.2 million appropriated last year has been used to mount an instrument and build the unit. Carter reported recent infrastructure investment at the forensic science center — a new roof and deionized water system for instruments — and said other needed repairs remain under rebid after architect review.
Sexual-assault kit backlog: OSBI reported the number of untested sexual-assault kits has fallen markedly. Carter said the agency’s target was to reduce untested kits toward 1,500 in FY24; he reported a current inventory of about 251 kits and stated the agency anticipates reaching zero in future fiscal years if current efforts continue.
Other operational notes: OSBI officials described the Alana Rawfield Revolving Fund (scholarship program) and said they spent roughly $81,000 on scholarships and training the prior year to help smaller agencies send staff for fingerprint and lab refresher training. Carter also described revenue loss tied to prosecutions moved to tribal or federal courts after the McGirt decision: OSBI said it typically does not receive lab fees or overtime reimbursement when work supports prosecutions in federal or tribal forums.
Questions and logistics: Senators asked about the cost per rapid DNA run (agency staff estimated approximately $7,000 for 50 samples in the rapid-DNA consumables/reagent example) and about how many sites the $2.5 million would populate; OSBI described the mapping as flexible and dependent on cooperating local partners. Agency staff said rapid DNA access would be targeted so law-enforcement agencies could get results within roughly 1.5–2 hours from a nearby rapid‑DNA site.
Outlook: OSBI asked the subcommittee to consider the one‑time rapid DNA request and the recurring instrument‑replacement funding in the budget cycle. No formal committee votes were recorded during the presentation segment captured in the transcript.
Ending: Carter and laboratory leadership offered to provide additional technical details and to coordinate site planning with subcommittee staff and local law enforcement.
