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Westchester's Crime Lab Gets Grant To Reduce DNA Evidence Backlog

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.-- U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today announced a $341,819 U.S. Department of Justice grant for Westchester County’s Forensic Science Services.

Rep. Nita Lowey announced that Westchester County will receive a federal grant to help reduce its DNA testing backlog.

Rep. Nita Lowey announced that Westchester County will receive a federal grant to help reduce its DNA testing backlog.

The goal of the grant is to is to help states and local governments increase the capacity of existing crime laboratories so they can analyze DNA samples more efficiently and cost effectively, as well as reduce backlogs of DNA evidence.

The National Institute of Justice defines a backlogged DNA case as one that goes untested for 30 days or more once it has been submitted to a crime laboratory.

"DNA technology is an invaluable tool in fighting and solving crime. But as awareness of the potential of DNA samples in criminal investigations has grown, demand for analyzing DNA samples has outgrown the capacity of many crime laboratories around the country,”  Lowey said in a statement. “This federal investment will enable our law enforcement officials in Westchester County to take full advantage of DNA technology so they can more effectively fight and solve crime.”

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