AUSTIN, TEXAS – July 06, 2021 – Signature Science, LLC has received a one-year, $801,438 contract from the Houston Forensic Science Center (HFSC) to perform forensic DNA casework analysis services through May 2022. HFSC had previously contracted Signature Science in 2020 for similar services. Under the new contract, Signature Science will continue to perform forensic serology, screening, and DNA analysis of biological evidence associated with sexual assault kits (SAKs).
Funding for this contract was made possible by the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance’s DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program, which provides grants to publicly funded forensic DNA and DNA database laboratories. These grants increase laboratory capacity to enable faster processing of DNA samples in order to reduce the number of forensic DNA and DNA database samples awaiting analysis and prevent future backlogs. HFSC and Signature Science are dedicated to providing quality forensic analyses and timely generation of results and, through this work, aim to make a positive impact in the criminal justice system.
“We are proud of the progress Signature Science and HFSC have been able to make together towards reducing the SAK backlog in Texas, and we appreciate the confidence and trust HFSC leadership has shown in us,” said Leslie Parke, Signature Science’s Forensic DNA Laboratory Director. “We look forward to continuing the important work of delivering answers that help ensure justice.” Work under the contract will be performed at Signature Science’s ANAB-accredited forensic DNA casework laboratory in Austin, TX.
About Signature Science, LLC: A subsidiary of the Southwest Research Institute, Signature Science, LLC is a scientific and technical consulting firm providing multi-disciplinary applied research, technology design and development, and scientific, technical and operational services to government and industry.