Performance Details

Department of Public Safety - Laboratory Services

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Mission

Provide scientific support to the criminal justice system to foster a safer Alaska.

Core Services

• Provide scientific testing, interpretation, report writing, testimony, and training to the criminal justice system.
• Analysis and entry into the national database of DNA samples from convicted felons and qualifying arrestees.

Mission Results

Core Services

A: Provide scientific support to the criminal justice system to help create a safer Alaska Details > TARGET #1: 90% of non-DNA requests for laboratory services with a turnaround time less than 30 days TARGET #2: Less than 5% of unworked requests for laboratory service are over 120 days old TARGET #3: 95% of sexual assault kits are processed in accordance with the turnaround time specified in AS 44.41.065

A1: Provide scientific testing, interpretation, report writing, testimony, and training to the criminal justice system. Details > A2: Analysis and entry into the national database of DNA samples from convicted felons and qualifying arrestees. Details > TARGET #1: 90% of samples processed in less than 91 days.

Performance Detail

Target #1: 90% of non-DNA requests for laboratory services with a turnaround time less than 30 days Methodology: Percentage of State Crime Laboratory non-DNA Service Requests Accomplished in Less than 30 Days Fiscal Year Requests under 30 days FY 2024 63% FY 2023 38% FY 2022 60% FY 2021 48% Analysis of results and challenges: The SCDL saw a 25% improvement in this metric during FY2024. This number is lower for the first half of FY2024 as the SCDL was completing casework that was submitted during a staffing shortage in the Seized Drugs discipline. For the second half of FY 2024 these averages over 70%. A significant proportion of the improvement this FY is due to processing times improving in the Seized Drugs discipline. The Seized Drugs discipline had two forensic scientists complete their training during reporting period. Once fully trained, they had a significant impact on the ability to produce casework within 30 days. Related links: Alaska State Crime Laboratory Target Last Modified: 11/05/2024

Target #2: Less than 5% of unworked requests for laboratory service are over 120 days old Percentage of State Crime Laboratory Service Unreleased Requests Over 120 Days Old Fiscal Year Percentage over 120 days Total # Requested FY 2024 49% 3544 -3.85% FY 2023 4% 3686 -6.21% FY 2022 18% 3,930 +14.78% FY 2021 21% 3,424 +6.20% FY 2020 20% 3,224 +8.04% FY 2019 20% 2,984 -5.78% Analysis of results and challenges: The reduction/elimination of backlogged requests for service continues to be a high priority. 49% of unreleased requests at the SCDL have been at the SCDL longer than 120 days. Twenty-five percent of these requests are or have been in a pending status, meaning that work could not be conducted immediately. Common reasons for pending analysis are “Awaiting More Information from the Submitter”, “Awaiting Reference Samples”, “Awaiting Completion of Another Request” and “Awaiting More Evidence”. The majority of unreleased requests over 120 days old are from the DNA section that had a 20% turnover which reduced capacity for completing casework due the vacancies and then for existing staff to recruit and train new staff; the training program for new forensic scientists is 12 months. All forensic scientist positions are now filled after recruitments were expanded nationwide due to due to a lack of applicants in state. *Unreleased requests include all casework in progress that is not yet complete. Related links: Alaska State Crime Laboratory Target Last Modified: 11/05/2024

Target #3: 95% of sexual assault kits are processed in accordance with the turnaround time specified in AS 44.41.065 Methodology: This is a new target that was proposed in November of 2021. The statute in FY2022 and FY2023 was for processing sexual assault kits within one year. In FY2024 the statute was amended to sexual assault kits are processed within 6 months during the first session of the 33rd Legislature. Percentage of Sexual Assault Kits Processed Year SA Kits Processed Target 2024 99.1% 95% 2023 100% 95% 2022 100% 95% Analysis of results and challenges: The SCDL processed 99.1% of sexual assault kits within 180 days, meeting the target of 90% of sexual assault kits being processed in accordance with the statutory timelines. The three kits that were processed outside of this time frame were all processed within 183 days. Processing times of kits increased during the reporting period due to the turnover of three positions in the unit which reduced capacity for casework as existing staff had to spend time recruiting and training the three new members of staff. It is anticipated that the turnaround time for processing kits will reduce significantly during FY2025. All three personnel will be fully trained by the end of quarter two FY2025. Target Last Modified: 11/05/2024

Target #1: 90% of samples processed in less than 91 days. Percent of Samples Processed in Less Than 91 Days Fiscal Year Percent FY 2024 99.9% FY 2023 100% FY 2022 100% FY 2021 97% FY 2020 88% Analysis of results and challenges: The DNA database is a service that involves the processing of buccal samples from convicted offenders and arrestees. This service requires a different training program than the rest of DNA casework done by the SCDL. The SCDL continues to operate at an extremely high level with regards to DNA database samples. Related links: Alaska State Crime Laboratory Target Last Modified: 11/05/2024

Last refreshed: 05/12/2025 05:00 pm