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Forensic institute seeks staff and space to reduce medical-examiner backlog and expand DNA work
Summary
Institute of Forensic Sciences reported crime-lab turnaround goals being met but flagged a medical-examiner staffing shortfall; IFS seeks personnel to replace contractors, training funds, and space/technology (DNA lab move, CT scanner, case-management upgrade) to scale property DNA processing and reduce reliance on outside contractors.
Julie Prine, Chief Operating Officer of the Institute of Forensic Sciences, said the crime lab is meeting most turnaround goals but the medical examiner side still faces backlog and staffing shortages. She reported the office reduced lab PCN vacancies from 40 to 12 in recent months but said the medical examiner unit needs more assistant medical examiners to keep homicide and autopsy reports timely. "We have 16 assistant medical examiners to be fully staffed. We need 20," Prine said, noting report timeliness goals and current levels for homicide and sexual-assault autopsies.
IFS asked the court to fund personnel to phase out contractors used for decedent transport and pathology, to support training costs required for accreditation, and to continue limited ARPA-funded support while building internal capacity. Prine highlighted a long-term capital priority: moving and expanding the DNA lab to the main facility so IFS can process more property DNA and provide additional evidence to investigators. She also described recent investments such as a CT-scanning machine that is being validated to assist pathologists. Commissioners asked about recruitment strategies; IFS described building a local "farm system" via fellowships and medical-student rotations to hire assistant medical examiners and scientists into permanent roles.
