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Overview
Laboratory Time and Resources
Interacting With Crime Laboratories
DNA Evidence: Probative Value and Prioritization
Communicating With the Prosecutor
Outsourcing Considerations
Leveraging Limited Resources
Avoiding Steep Costs
Communicating With the Legislature
Evidence Retention Policies
Best Practices for Handling “Cold Hits”
Offender Collection Statutes
Partial Matches
Familial Searching
Rapid DNA Technology
Resources, Guides and Best Practices

Avoiding Steep Costs

Cost of Laboratory Analysis, Including DNA

Properly developed, implemented and communicated procedures for processing evidence collected at a crime scene are critical to cost-effectiveness within the crime laboratory.

Consider the following cost management methods:

Limit duplication of services and tests
Limit analysis to the most probative items of evidence
Limit courtroom waiting time for laboratory personnel³

Investigating agencies, laboratories and judicial agencies should actively communicate with each other to work on implementing a method that addresses cost and resource issues associated with laboratory services.⁴

³ Louisiana RS 15:502 »
⁴ High-Priority Criminal Justice Technology Needs 2010 NIJ Publication PDF download: 920kB • Visit the National Criminal Justice Reference Service »

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