More Funding Announced for Verdugo Regional Crime Laboratory

The Verdugo Regional Crime Laboratory, which processes evidence for the Pasadena Police Department, has been awarded $376,102 through a program administered by the Department of Justice.

The funding will help the lab increase capacity and more quickly process DNA evidence, including sexual assault kits, according to Rep. Adam Schiff, (D-Pasadena).

“There is no doubt that the Verdugo Regional Crime Laboratory is making Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank and the surrounding communities safer through their speedy investigations of crimes and offenses,” Schiff said. “I was proud to obtain federal funding that helped establish the laboratory, and this additional and continued support will allow the lab to increase its ability to process and test samples, including ensuring that sexual assault kits are tested and processed quickly and efficiently.”

In 2009, Schiff helped secure $1.5 million to build the laboratory as part of the appropriations process, and the following year he secured an additional $1 million to expand and fully fund the facility, according to his office.

The FY 2020 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program provides funding to states and local government units with existing crime laboratories to increase capacity to process more DNA samples.