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Budget Narrative
The Budget will provide funds to allow for the review of case files and evidence
by the cold case team and provide funds for testing of an estimated two samples of DNA
evidence from the anticipated 20% (or more) of the entire cold case backlog of 1,479
homicides that may provide DNA evidence that can be analyzed. Should there be a
greater number of cases that warrant DNA testing then our estimate of 20%, we will seek
to amend our budget to move approved monies from other budgeted items to the
appropriate category to fund the testing of these samples over our estimate. The budget
also provides funding for support personnel who as cold case team members will assist in
the evidence review process or investigative process. Funds that have been set aside for
travel are based on an estimate and past experience of detectives who expect a number of
witnesses and suspects developed from investigations will have relocated. Equipment
purchases will enable detectives easily and quickly enter case information from remote
locations into the tracking system with laptop computers purchased as well as
investigative notes and reports. Printers, scanners and copies will be used to obtain
copies of information from files to be filed electronically for rapid access, review and
presentation. A projector will be used for team case review and presentations.
Funding will enable detectives to work 8 hours per week on the grant for 48
weeks in the first year and 24 weeks in the first six months of second year of the grant
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(72 weeks total) on an overtime basis. The 72 week period was calculated based on a
grant period of 18 months (1.5 years) with deductions for time spent for departmental
training, vacations, court and illness. We have taken into account that the majority of the
cold case files are in storage and will require time for location, retrieval and organization.
After consulting with the Miami -Dade County Police Department, regarding
testing of DNA evidence samples, it was determined that the Miami -Dade Laboratory
would review our evidence and help identify which samples were most likely to yiel
DNA profile. The Miami -Dade Lab personnel would then outsource our evidence
samples to an outside lab for testing. Miami -Dade forensic laboratory staff would
attempt to identify DNA matches in CODIS, certify DNA hits and make all entries into
CODIS. Additionally, the lab advised us they would supply statistical reports for all
evidence analyzed. The cost per sample that they have quoted our Department is $300.00
per sample.
All expenditure of grant funds will be monitored by the Police Budget Unit that
is functions under the Business Management Section, commanded by a Major who
reports to an Assistant Chief of Police.
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