STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Safety
AGENDA DATE: September 25, 2019
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Police Department
EXECUTIVE: Jon Fortune
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SUBJECT
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Authorize renewal of the Interlocal Agreement with Dallas County, through Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences at Dallas, for the provision of forensic, drug, toxicological, environmental, and physical evidence analysis, and other similar medical/forensic analytical services for the period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020 - Not to exceed $3,800,000.00 - Financing: Confiscated Monies Funds ($1,035,000.00) and General Fund ($2,765,000.00) (subject to appropriations)
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BACKGROUND
In 1969, the City withdrew from a joint Criminal Investigations Laboratory operation with Dallas County; therefore, laboratory services became a function of the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office. The County's laboratory services are known as the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences at Dallas (SWIFS). SWIFS provides a broad range of evidence analysis for both the Police and Fire Departments. In 1999, the first annual Interlocal Agreement for these services was approved.
SWIFS services include analysis of drug evidence, DNA analysis and comparison, microscopic (trace) evidence analysis, examination of firearms and tool marks (matching bullets to weapons that fired them), and identification of fire accelerants. These services are vital to the successful investigation and prosecution of crime.
The proposed Interlocal Agreement will provide services from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. The $3,800,000.00 cost is shared between Dallas Police Department $3,790,000.00 and with the Fire Department $10,000.00.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On November 12, 2014, City Council authorized renewal of the Interlocal Agreement with Dallas County, through the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Science...
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