Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Carlos G. Bolanos, Sheriff
Subject: Amendment to the Agreement with the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the existing Agreement (No. 30000-17-D034) with the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner to provide gunshot residue testing services, extending the term through September 30, 2019, and increasing the amount by $25,000, to an amount not to exceed $124,000.
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BACKGROUND:
For several years, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory has contracted with the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner for the morphological and chemical analysis of gunshot residue kits by scanning electron microscopy. This service aids the Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory in the scientific investigation of crimes involving firearms.
DISCUSSION:
A scanning electron microscope can cost as much as $250,000.00. In addition to the cost of the microscope, there are also ongoing costs for maintaining and operating the equipment as well as training analysts on current gunshot residue testing techniques. Due to these costs it is more cost effective for the Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory to contract out for these services with the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office. The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office charges $675 per kit.
The agreement has reached its current not-to-exceed amount and an increase of $25,000 is needed due to increasing utilization of this testing by both County Law Enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office.
The resolution and agreement have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
Approval of this amendment contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Communities by aiding in the investigations within the County of San Mateo in violent crimes where a firearm was utilized and discharged.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
The Los Angeles Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will complete and send a written report of their analysis results no later than twelve weeks after each submission of evidence.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The amendment to add an additional $25,000.00 for a new total amount not to exceed $124,000.00 is due to the increasing number of requests for gunshot residue testing services from outside agencies. The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner will invoice the County for actual services provided at the flat rate of $675 per kit. There is no additional Net County Cost associated with this agreement, as it is being funded using current appropriations within the current Forensic Laboratory budget.