The National Institute of Justice Special Report Presents DNA Backlog Updates

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) today announced the release of Making Sense of DNA Backlogs, 2012— Myths vs. Reality. The "Special Report" is an update to the original 2009 and 2010 publications and is based on data collected from more than 120 public laboratories that receive NIJ grants.

It provides a more complete and accurate picture of DNA backlogs than previous editions because all laboratories now report data using the same definition of the term "backlog." The findings in this report offer guidance on possible solutions to backlog reduction. Ways forward include a combination of improved business and production practices in the crime lab, technological advances such as robotics, as well as additional resources to process increasing workloads.

The report also explains that looking at the raw number of backlogged cases will not account for the extent of the problem; each lab has to be looked at with respect to their productivity and turnaround time. This report also discusses process improvement practices that can boost productivity and highlights the importance for lab managers to use performance metrics as ways to improve productivity in the lab.

TITLE:  Making Sense of DNA Backlogs, 2012— Myths vs. Reality

PUBLISHER:  National Institute of Justice   www.nij.gov

WHERE:  https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/243347.pdf

The Office of Justice Programs, headed by Assistant Attorney General Karol V. Mason, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP has six components: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking. More information about OJP can be found at www.ojp.gov.

SOURCE Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs

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