U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) announced grants totaling almost $500,000 have been awarded to cut DNA backlogs in Maryland. The Maryland State Police has been awarded $351,000 and Anne Arundel County has been awarded $132,000 to reduce forensic DNA sample turnaround time and help get violent offenders off the streets.  The grants are being awarded through the National Institute of Justice within the U.S. Department of Justice.

 “Our state and local law enforcement work around the clock to keep violent crime in check and our children and communities safe. As Chairwoman of the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee, I am committed to giving them the tools and technology they need to clean up the streets and protect our families,” Senator Mikulski said. “I’m pleased this funding will be used to cut DNA backlogs in Maryland, effectively prosecute crimes and put violent offenders behind bars.”

The grants were awarded under the Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program, which provides state and local governments that have crime labs performing DNA analysis with resources to bolster their capacity through investments in infrastructure and expanding analysis capacity.  Crime labs use the funds to process DNA samples efficiently and cost effectively. The grants are also used to identify and test backlogged forensic DNA casework samples. 

The Maryland State Police and Anne Arundel County will use this funding to help reduce forensic DNA sample turnaround time and reduce DNA forensic casework backlogs. These improvements are critical to preventing future DNA backlogs, catching criminals and keeping them off the streets of Maryland, and helping Maryland use the full potential of DNA technology.