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Building a Comprehensive Crime Laboratory Enhancing Chandler Forensic Services Council Work Session July 15, 2024 Agenda Background & History Current State Proposed Future State Next Steps Questions Background and History Chandler Police Department Forensic Services Section 92% of survey respondents agree that they feel safe in Chandler1 “I HAVE ALWAYS HAD OUTSTANDING SERVICE WITH CHANDLER POLICE” “FANTASTIC SERVICE FROM MY INITIAL CALL TO THE FOLLOW-UP REPORT BY THE OFFICER. VERY IMPRESSED GREAT JOB ALL AROUND.” “WE FEEL VERY SAFE, THANK YOU TO CHANDLER PD FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE!.” 1FY24-25 Resident Budget Survey Citizen and Spidr Tech “MY CAR WAS STOLEN IN SEPTEMBER 2023. THE POLICE SHOWED UP IMMEDIATELY AND MY CAR WAS LOCATED THE SAME DAY. EXCELLENT LEVEL OF COMMUNICATION, EMPATHY AND INSTILLED TRUST. Homicide 0.18% Forcible Rape 2.19% Robbery 1.72% Aggravated Assault 6.68% Burglary 8.27% Theft 73.04% Auto Theft 7.78% Arson 0.13% Crime Rate History & Trends - 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Uniform Crime Report Part I Crime Index 1987 - 2023 Chandler Population Growth 265,200 268,313 282,628 285,078 287,357 250,000 255,000 260,000 265,000 270,000 275,000 280,000 285,000 290,000 295,000 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Population Linear (Population) Chief Chapman “While our city's proactive approach to adopting advanced technologies and innovative strategies has contributed to a downward trend in the crime rate, we must continue to evolve to keep pace with our growing population and emerging challenges.” Citizen Bond Exploratory Committee Public Safety Subcommittee – Police 2020 Forensic Services Facility 576 W. Pecos Rd $38.3M Main Station Renovations $9.6M Emergency Vehicles $1.6M 23,500 square feet recommended for Forensic Services expansion based upon 2014 Facilities Master Plan. CIB & Communications Renovations $6.4M Committee Recommendations Public Safety Subcommittee November 2021 voters gave the authorization to issue bonds to fund capital projects planned in the 10-year CIP Current State Unit Accomplishments • More than a decade as an ISO 17025 accredited Forensic Laboratory • Recipient of the Maximus Award for six consecutive years, demonstrating sustained excellence and high efficiency. Crime Scene Unit Personnel 10 full-time Crime Scene Technicians 2 Crime Scene Technician Leads 1 Crime Scene Supervisor 4 cross-trained for ABIS ten print 24/7 Crime Scene Response Forensic Analysis Unit Personnel 5 full-time Forensic Scientists 1 Forensic Scientist Supervisor Cross-training is not commonly adopted as an industry standard. Blood Alcohol Seized Drugs Latent Print Average turnaround 14 days Average turnaround 14 days Average turnaround 117 days Performance Metrics Indicator (Fiscal Year) Curr. YTD Goal Percentage of requests for blood alcohol analysis completed within 30 days 100% 95% Percentage of requests for controlled substances analysis within 60 days 100% 95% Percentage of requests for latent print analysis within 90 days 70% 95% Percentage of crime scene analysis report requests completed within 14 days 98% 95% Crime Lab Services Agency Provider Crime Scene In-House Latent Fingerprint In-House Controlled Substances In-House Toxicology – Alcohol In-House Firearms – NIBIN Database only In-House – non laboratory Computer Forensics / Digital Evidence In-House – non laboratory Firearms / Toolmarks Outsourced Toxicology – Drugs Outsourced Trace Evidence Outsourced DNA Outsourced Questioned Documents Outsourced Forensic Services Current Facility Limitations Built in 1999 5,500 sq. ft. lab 3,000 sq. ft. biohazard and vehicle bay Reached capacity in 2005 Outsourcing Services - Limitations 2023 Blood Drug Analysis 2023 DNA Analysis DNA Analysis 1:10 Cases in which DNA evidence is collected is submitted for analysis to AZDPS Chandler experienced a significant number of property crimes, 10 were submitted for DNA analysis. For Property Crimes cases, the AZDPS lab will process 1 item of evidence per suspect with a known exemplar. Projected Case Numbers 97 177 736 182 1204 275 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 DNA Toxicology Chandler Case Projections 2023 Submissions (Outsourced) Median Projection High Projection Forensic Services Current 24/7 Crime Scene Response Ten-Print Analysis Blood Alcohol Analysis (DUI) Seized Drugs Latent Fingerprints Key Additions DNA Blood Drug Analysis (DUI and Sex Assault) Computer Forensics/Digital Evidence Future State of Forensic Services Evidence shows that applying DNA analysis to property crimes yields results. • More than twice as many suspects are identified, arrested and accepted for prosecution Computer Forensics / Digital Evidence Freeing up Officers to concentrate on investigations Standardized Practices to efficiently collect and analyze large volumes of evidence Leverage Expertise for a reliable and verifiable analysis Impact of Expanded Forensic Services Firearms - Database • The nationwide database is used to match ballistic evidence with other cases. • Guns need to be test-fired so the bullet patterns can be matched to those in the database. • This is a chance to create a proper space for both test-firing guns and using the database. Forensic Facility Benefits to Chandler Supporting Forensic Needs: Committed to fulfilling criminal justice requirements. Forensic Science Utilization: Developing investigative leads through advanced forensic science. Prioritizing Investigations: Aligning with officers’ investigative priorities. Expedited Testing: Providing rapid, selective analysis. Public Trust: Sustaining and strengthening public confidence. Feasibility Study The city conducted RFQ and selected SmithGroup to perform a pre-design study. The scope of services included: o Facility needs and requirements o Adjacency to the existing Property and Evidence Facility o Potential public outreach services o Pre-design services o Preliminary cost estimate Received $290,000 of funding in FY 2022-23 for the feasibility study. The Feasibility Study was completed in FY 2023-24. Feasibility Study Recommendation 29,996 Square Feet – Single Story $59.2M Connected to the Property & Evidence Building Capital Budget $5,259,000 FY2024-25 $59,212,000 FY2025-26 $50,081,000 from Public Safety Bond Fund 460 $9,131,000 from General Fund 401 Public Safety Bond Fund 460 Design Construction Next Steps Design Phase FY2024-25 Continuation of the partnership with the SmithGroup Design a better future for forensic services in our city Exploring Partnerships • Potential Partnership with Town of Gilbert oLooking at business model, timing, cost sharing, and level of service expectations oPartnership would include Maintenance & Operations, and Capital from both agencies oWill return to City Council if partnership makes sense for both parties Further Considerations CENTRAL LOCATION AND PROXIMITY TO PROPERTY AND EVIDENCE ARE CRITICAL RENOVATIONS OF THE MAIN SUBSTATION CANNOT PROCEED UNTIL THE LABORATORY MOVES OUT AGING INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE CURRENT LABORATORY & COST INCURRED BY CONSTRUCTION DELAYS LABORATORY MOVES REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL SET-UP PERIOD Process Timeline Process Estimated Timeline Continue to Explore Potential Partnerships Ongoing Design Services 1 Year Construction 2 Years Transition Period 6 – 9 Months Fully Operational - Goal 2-3 Years Forensic Services Facility Investing in a crime lab will result in enhanced public safety and increased community trust. Questions