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 experiencing a backlog tied to turnover and training needs.

Spender described several measures to speed DNA processing: validating a new DNA interpretation software (described as STRmix in the presentation) that can accelerate mixture interpretation; validating a Q‑TOF instrument and other mass‑spectrometry gear for toxicology to reduce outsourcing; validating a 3D virtual comparison microscope for firearms; and moving to a new laboratory information management system (LIMS) to consolidate evidence, reports and discovery delivery to criminal-justice partners.

The division asked the committee to approve converting three modified positions (3.7 PB) — two DNA-related positions and shared part‑time office assistance roles — into permanent positions. LFD and agency staff described the request as a “move” of funds already in the agency budget: converting operating authority to personal‑services authority with no net increase in requested dollars.

Spender and LFD staff described the main operational constraint in DNA as turnover after training: newly trained analysts are often recruited out of state or by private labs that offer higher pay. The division said it changed training sequencing so new analysts learn the report‑writing/interpreting tasks sooner and can contribute to report production more quickly.

Spender said the division has bought and is validating equipment and that it will not ask for additional appropriation to buy the LIMS; the division said it already budgeted and paid for the system using carryforward funds and existing budget.

Committee members asked for additional data about the share of multi‑section cases (those requiring work across serology, DNA, firearms, latent prints) and more details about steps the division is taking to reduce backlog. The division said it would provide trend data on case submissions and prioritized procedures for urgent criminal and death‑investigation work.

The committee recorded the forensic presentation and clarified that the conversion of modified positions is presented as net zero in incremental funding but would formalize staff roles in the personal‑services budget going forward.