Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer, Ruppersberger, Sarbanes, and Brown Announce $225,000 for Anne Arundel County Police Department for DNA Processing

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representatives Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Anthony Brown (all D-Md.) have announced $225,000 in federal funding for the Anne Arundel County Police Department to process DNA samples. The funding, awarded through the Department of Justice’s DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction (CEBR) program, will be used to increase the capacity of the Department’s Crime Laboratory processing, in an effort to reduce the number of forensic DNA samples awaiting analysis and prevent a backlog of samples.

“The national backlog in DNA processing must be addressed. These funds represent a first step toward tackling this issue and will help solve criminal cases in Anne Arundel County, as we work to improve the system nationwide.” said the Members. “Together, we will continue fighting for resources to support and strengthen Maryland’s criminal justice system.”

CEBR grants are awarded by the National Institute of Justice. Eligible applicants are able to determine what portion of their anticipated funding should be used for capacity building purposes and what portion should be used for analysis of forensic DNA and/or DNA database samples.

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