March 27, 2006
Public Hearing on the Proposed FY2007 Budget for the District of Columbia Consolidated Forensics & Public Health Laboratory
This remains a major challenge for our Department, just as DNA analysis remains a major challenge for jurisdictions across the country. The fact of the matter is that there are resource pressures nationwide when it comes to forensics, including a limited pool of qualified scientists and labs that do not all have the cutting-edge technology that makes it look so easy on TV. DC is not alone in confronting a backlog of DNA cases; even jurisdictions with their own labs are facing significant and growing backlogs in many cases. So at a time when we are looking for ways to better manage our own DNA caseload, we are competing for resources with other jurisdictions that have their own backlogs and their own challenges as well.
Recognizing this situation, we are determined to meet the challenges here in DC, with the support of both the District and federal governments. As the Committee is aware, our Department has 10 forensic positions to work exclusively on MPD cases at the FBI Lab in Quantico. These included a manager position, whose job was both to supervise the training and work of the new staff and to advise the Department on the creation of the crime lab. It’s important to understand that the process of hiring forensic specialists and getting them up and running is much more rigorous than hiring most any other civilian employees in our agency. Because of the sensitivity of their work, the FBI requires that these staff members undergo extensive background investigations. And because of the highly technical nature of their jobs, it takes months of specialized training – 18 months in the case of biologist/DNA forensic examiners – before these employees are able to work on their own.
Unfortunately, two of the biologists we originally hired, including one who had completed 16 months of training, recently resigned. So did the manager, Dr. Kevin Miller. The Department is actively recruiting to fill these three positions. We ran an ad in Sunday’s Washington Post, and the positions have been advertised on our website. Filling these positions as quickly and successfully as possible is a priority for our Department. In addition, the Mayor’s proposed budget for FY 2007 funds 10 additional staff for the lab. This would include DNA examiners and technicians, as well as quality control and case administration specialists. Based on the FBI’s experience and recommendation, hiring quality control and case administration personnel will increase the productivity of the DNA examiners and technicians by allowing them to focus on the scientific aspects of cases instead of administrative matters.
We also intend to hire a Project Manager, who will report directly to me, and who will concentrate on longer-term, strategic goals in this area. Among other things, the Project Manager will work with the Office of Property Management and others on planning the MPD’s operations at the new consolidated lab, and he or she will be responsible for developing a strategic transition plan, incorporating personnel, training and equipment needs. The Project Manager will also oversee some key interim activities, including working with other labs to address the current backlog of DNA cases, and reviewing and recommending improvements for our entire forensics operations as they relate to DNA. Though the details still need to be worked out, I expect that Dr. William Vosburgh will be hired for this position. Dr. Vosburgh is a highly qualified forensic scientist who helped to develop crime labs for the police departments of both Anne Arundel County and Prince George’s County.
