Interacting With Crime Laboratories

Funding Concerns

Funding concerns affect every agency and crime laboratory in the country. Addressing these concerns requires the development of a comprehensive approach with best practices that takes into consideration the multitude of factors that influence funding and budget allocations. These best practices may include the following:

• Determine/assess resource needs^9,10
• Identify available funding sources
• Develop a collective MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) to obtain funding that includes local, federal and state law enforcement; prosecution agencies; and local advocacy groups
• Actively work with local advocacy groups to engage the community
• Provide an accurate assessment of the backlog and possible remedies
• Work with the public information office to develop a media strategy
• Engage the legislature through an active liaison
• Get involved in the legislative process through understanding earmarked funding, investigative protocols, and tracking cold case hits
• Develop a sustainability strategy and gain organizational commitment to that strategy

⁹ National Conference of State Legislatures: Database of DNA Laws: Federal Funding Sources »
¹⁰ National Institute of Justice Funding »