The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana State Police’s crime laboratory has received nearly $2 million in federal grants to speed up analysis of DNA evidence in criminal cases.
The $1.98 million was awarded to help improve the Forensic DNA Unit’s ability to provide quick analysis of blood and other DNA material and to address its backlog of evidence that needs tested, according to a news release from Gov. Joe Kernan’s office.
The money will pay for training and overtime, equipment, supplies and contractual needs essential to addressing the backlog.
“These funds are important in our continual efforts to protect Hoosiers and bring to justice those who commit crimes against our citizens,” Kernan said in the news release.
Over the past few years, the number of cases that the unit handles has grown significantly. The unit also maintains a convicted offender DNA database.
That database, which keeps track of DNA evidence collected in investigations, is used to connect criminals with unsolved crimes.
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