A recent $600,000 infusion from Congress to the San Mateo County crime lab will cut days off evidence processing and may let it start earning money by handling outside cases, according to Director Jim Granucci.
"We have some inquiries from other counties for outsourcing their work which they pay for. If it works out, it could be very beneficial,” Granucci said.
The lab will be able to handle the extra work because of equipment upgrades funded by federal grants, like the $600,000 secured by U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.
When added to $493,000 in other funds earmarked for local forensics, the lab has secured more than $1 million in money toward improvements. Sheriff Don Horsley lobbied for it during a trip to Washington, D.C. earlier this year. Boxer included her funding request in the Commerce, Justice and State Appropriations Bill for 2006.
The money should arrive in about six months, Granucci said.
Among the ways the lab plans to spend the newfound money are robotics for DNA testing and a computerized tracking and records system for firearms. Currently, everything is done manually on paper and proves "very cumbersome,” Granucci said.
He expects days to be shaved off genetics testing, speeding up the criminal justice system and freeing any individuals cleared by DNA. So far, the crime lab has four "cold hit” cases under its belt.
"In essence, it lets us have better use of our staff because they are able to start one project and go on to another while it runs,” Granucci said.
The ability to handle an increased caseload was one reason Boxer cited in her announcement of the money for pushing the request through Congress to the president’s desk.
The improvements are also handy, Granucci said, in processing the extra blood samples required under Proposition 69. The initiative requires the creation of a DNA databank of blood from any person arrested in California.
While local law enforcement officials are thrilled with the funding, they are still keeping their fingers crossed for more from both Congress and the state Department of Justice. Among the pending initiatives are requests for training and more DNA work. The county is also hopeful that Congress approves a funding request for a new women’s jail, said Sheriff’s Lt. Don O’Keefe.
"That one we really need because it’s quite a bit of money and the women’s jail really needs to be replaced,” O’Keefe said.
Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.<
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