The Chief of Police of the Houston Police Department (HPD) recommends that City Council approve an ordinance authorizing two (2) Subaward Agreements for forensic DNA analysis to DNA Lab International (DLI) and Othram Inc. (Othram) to be funded by the FY2021 and FY2022 "Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA Program" grant awarded to the City of Houston by the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.
As background, HPD was awarded federal funding in the amount of $380,594.00 for forensic DNA analysis under the "Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA Program" grant. This program provides grant funding to support agencies in the resolution of violent crime cold cases by providing resources for agencies to prosecute cases where a suspect’s DNA has been identified, thereby decreasing the number of unresolved violent crime cold cases. Evidence that can potentially benefit from DNA testing will be tested and/or retested by DNA Lab International or Othram.
The Subaward Agreements will allow HPD to reimburse DLI and Othram for their costs of DNA testing using grant funding from the "Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA Grant". HPD will not use any other funding source to reimburse for DLI or Othram services under this grant program.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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J. Noe Diaz, Jr.
Chief of Police