Deluzio Celebrates More Than $320,000 to Support DNA Evidence Analysis at the Allegheny County Medical Examiner

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) celebrates a grant coming to the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner (ACOME). ACOME will use this $320,843 in federal funds for process improvements and to expand their casework capacity. These funds and new tools will help ACOME complete at least 129 more cases, reduce casework backlog, and improve turnaround time for casework processing.

“The Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner provides important services and information for law enforcement, health and environmental agencies, the courts, and those experiencing the loss of a loved one,” said Rep. Chris Deluzio. “These federal funds will boost the Medical Examiner’s productivity while also increasing capacity to take on more cases and get families, agencies, and law enforcement the answers they need. I’m proud to have a hand in bringing this grant home to Allegheny County to support public safety.”

Specifically, these funds will support the Forensic Biology Section of ACOME, a specific division of the county’s laboratories that analyzes incoming evidence to make conclusions about deaths in the county. Forensic Biology collaborates with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) through the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) DNA database network. This database provides valuable informational resources and investigative leads for law enforcement. The money from this grant will reduce the time needed for instrument maintenance and improve the speed and efficiency by which DNA samples can be inputted into CODIS by increasing sample capacity from new instrumentation. With this grant, ACOME will also purchase new casework supplies to help close dozens of cases and offer casework Occupational Therapy to ACOME Forensic Biology Scientists.  

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