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Forensic Science division seeks to convert funded modified positions to permanent as DNA backlog and turnover challenge turnaround times
Summary
The Forensic Science Division told the committee it faces high demand, staffing turnover in biology/DNA work, and is validating new equipment and a new laboratory information management system; the division asked to make existing modified positions permanent without increasing request dollars.
The Forensic Science Division told the subcommittee the state lab system remains under pressure from increased violent‑crime caseloads and complex toxicology and DNA work, and it is pursuing operational changes and equipment upgrades to reduce turnaround times.
Travis Spender, administrator of the Forensic Science Division, said the division performs toxicology (including DUI and postmortem blood testing), firearms and tool‑mark work, latent prints, DNA and serology analysis, and the medical examiner/autopsy function. Spender said the lab performs roughly 800–900 autopsies a year and that most postmortem and toxicology turnaround times are meeting performance targets, but the biology/DNA section is…
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