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Home My WebLink AboutItem Submitted by Councilman Butch Twining and Councilman An Ti,G�' 2000 Main Street, of ,rpm L� Huntington Beach,CA Wca City of Huntington Beach 92648 9 . APPROVED 7-0 File #: 25-739 MEETING DATE: 9/16/2025 REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager VIA: Eric Parra, Chief of Police PREPARED BY: Captain Kevin Johnson and Lieutenant Julio Mendez Subject: Report on the expansion of the Huntington Beach Police Department's Computer Forensic Laboratory and explore the feasibility of developing a Huntington Beach Police Department DNA laboratory Statement of Issue: At the request of Councilmen Butch Twining and Andrew Gruel, the Huntington Beach City Council, at its June 3, 2025 meeting, directed staff to research the feasibility of increasing the size of the HBPD computer forensic laboratory and developing a full-service DNA laboratory within the department. Financial Impact: Not applicable Recommended Action: Direct staff to research grants and other funding opportunities through the state and federal government and return in the first quarter of 2026 to report on possible funding sources. Alternative Action(s): Direct staff accordingly Analysis: DNA - Forensic Biology Unit DNA identification is one of the most effective ways to solve crimes. The City of Huntington Beach contracts with the Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) for forensic laboratory services. DNA evidence collected at a crime scene by the Huntington Beach Police Department is analyzed by OCSD. Due to high demand from multiple agencies, the turnaround time for forensic results can range from City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 3 Printed on 9/10/2025 powered by LegistarT" 583 File #: 25-739 MEETING DATE: 9/16/2025 several months up to a year, impacting the speed and effectiveness of investigations. When HBPD submits evidence to the OCSD Laboratory, there is a minimum 9 month waiting period before HBPD receives the results of the DNA examination. In most cases, the waiting period is well over 12 months. During this period, potential suspects may continue committing crimes against Huntington Beach residents while the HBPD awaits completion of the lab work. Computer Forensics In almost every crime in Huntington Beach, the suspect, victim, or witness has an electronic device such as a cellular phone, tablet, or computer. HBPD has a small High-Tech Crime Unit consisting of one Police Detective and a Forensic Systems Specialist. These two employees process approximately 300 electronic devices a year for the HBPD Detective Unit. An expansion of the High-Tech Crime Unit to include two additional Forensic Systems Specialists would allow the HBPD to examine electronic data at a much faster rate and also offer services for a fee to other local police agencies. This expansion would allow the High-Tech Crime Unit to double its output to about 600 electronic devices per year. An expansion would allow HBPD to charge other agencies for the additional 300 cases per year. HBPD could charge $2500 per case recovering up to $750,000 per year. A proposed laboratory expansion would increase turnaround time for laboratory personnel to process each device. Funding Although the cost recovery on from the DNA laboratory is minimal at best, the cost recovery for an expansion of the High-Tech Laboratory could more than cover the annual operating costs. One of the most important aspects of this project is the reduction of time spent waiting for results from the OCSD Crime Laboratory and the High-Tech Crime Unit. HBPD waits a minimum of 9 months for DNA evidence on major violent crimes. The wait for DNA evidence on nonviolent crimes can up upwards of 18 months. The residents of Huntington Beach would not have to wait for justice if the HBPD had its own DNA crime laboratory as results would be obtained months sooner. Projected Costs for DNA & Computer Forensics Lab Expansion First Year Costs DNA Laboratory $2,432,000 High-Tech Lab $952,000 $3,384,000 On Going Legacy Costs DNA Laboratory Annual Cost $1,190,000 High-Tech Lab $350,000 $1,540,000 DNA Laboratory Implementation $3,622,000 High-Tech Lab Implementation $1,302,000 City of Huntington Beach Page 2 of 3 Printed on 9/10/2025 powered by LegistarT'^ 584 File #: 25-739 MEETING DATE: 9/16/2025 Environmental Status: This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. Strategic Plan Goal: Non Applicable -Administrative Item Attachment(s): 1.HBPD Crime Laboratory Development and Expansion Presentation City of Huntington Beach Page 3 of 3 Printed on 9/10/2025 powered by LegistarTM 585 1 ,„,„...,"„,„4,5 HBpD C • ,,,„.„,504. ..,. _,,,, _ ,, , \ G ,,ssss,s. V .. ........ •.,. . Laboratory ' '.0 •'.,,toRPQRAT %�. C - - Developmentrime 37 and• -_. _, pi(1 ,r .. Expansion _______„__ _ ______ ___ _ _ __ lk == - 1 DNA Laboratory immojimachAti -7-..."" ‘ /� �-/• `�. High-Tech Com uter Forensic Laboratory _ . p • • • _— - �.• ,, September 16, 2025 ce') 0 • . , ,,„.. \__ <, `ssssssss' OnTHvi\\ \ /0° N 586 Crime LaboratoryExpansion • June 3rd , 2025 - Councilmember Item (Twining/Gruel) asked staff to research the development of a DNA Lab for HBPD and an expansion of the High-Tech Lab • Existing HBPD Laboratory • 2 Latent Print Examiners • Examine all fingerprint evidence in-house • 2 Computer Forensic Examiners (1 Detective and 1 Forensic Systems Specialist) j<i� TINGT /�� • 335 Electronic Devices Examined/year (at ca acit f� �� •�pRPOAgjf••0• \ Y capacity) t o •••':N ti � � • No Current DNA Laboratory at HBPD 44� `• .p�� • All HBPD DNA Cases are sent to OCSD = - _ • 120 cases submitted in 2024 to OCSD tkc��=K=° ,;- '• • Minimum 9 month waiting period �v ••' �''LGF FE ......C .......... �l GUNIN ' Crime LaboratoryExpansion • Benefits of a DNA Lab • Processing delay reduced from 9 months to immediate • Detective case resolution for swift justice and victim redemption • Quicker arrests leads to fewer criminals on the streets • Outside agencies can contract with HBPD for DNA evidence processing • Benefits of an Expanded High-Tech Lab • Nearly all crimes involve electronic device(s) which are triaged and processed by HBPD • Enables HBPD to contract with other agencies for cost recovery of approximately $750,000/year. ij/ NTINGT I `�•'��OR?OAAr� • High-Tech Device Fee = $2,500/device for examination o:•_ o <9. • Additional 300 devices/year = $750,000 _ •; i Crime LaboratoryExpansion • Develop DNA Laboratory • Sufficient area within Crime Lab with rehab/remodel • Hire 4 Full Time employes • Purchase DNA Equipment • Expand Existing High-Tech Laboratory • Move High-Tech Lab within Crime Lab and rehabilitate area • Hire 2 Full Time Employees • Purchase additional Computer Forensic Equipment �UNTINGr0 O .•.•\a�oaoAarEo°•. � : . cF��UNT`I CPS\ Crime LaboratoryExpansion • Financial Considerations First Year Costs DNA Laboratory $2,432,000 High-Tech Lab $952,000 $3,384,000 Ongoing Costs DNA Laboratory Annual $1 ,190,000 High-Tech Lab $350,000 $1,540,000 DNA Laboratory Implementation $3,622,000 High-Tech Lab Implementation $1 ,302,000 i/�\VV4NGT • Recommendation I - - ��,� Direct staff to research possible state and federal funding and return in the first ? � quarter of 2026 to report on possible funding sources. 3� � I %� cOUNT'j Cam,#fl Questions ? ... l<.:..; ',,` , vim 4. - k,,,R4. <a a: N \ '\ cio .4 ..,..:-, ;5, , yy alb , s,,, «bk� ti Mr. Amory Hanson 8102 Ellis Avenue Apartment 121 Huntington Beach CA 92646 September 16, 2025 The Mayor Of Huntington Beach 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach CA 92648 My Dear Mister Mayor, I would like to express my support for Item XIII Sincerely Yours, Mr.Amory Hanson CC:The Honorable Casey McKeon CC:The Honorable Andrew Gruel CC:The Honorable Donald C.Kennedy CC:The Honorable E.M.Twining CC:The Honorable Grace Vandermark CC:The Honorable Chad Williams SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATION Meeting Date: 09/16/2025 Agenda Item No. 20 (25-739) �pNTIGT�� 2000 Main Street, of . Huntington Beach,CA F jy City of Huntington Beach 92648 APPROVED 7-0 File #: 25-450 MEETING DATE: 6/3/2025 Subject: Item Submitted by Councilman Butch Twining and Councilman Andrew Gruel - DNA and Computer Forensics Recommended Action: Direct the City Manager to report back to City Council within 90 days, the feasibility of developing a DNA processing laboratory along with increasing the size and scope of the HBPD's computer forensic laboratory. The study should include start-up costs for equipment and personnel, possible funding sources, legacy costs for additional personnel, equipment maintenance, and the potential positive effects on criminal investigations Attachment(s): 1. Councilman Butch Twining and Andrew Gruel Memo - DNA and Computer Forensics City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 1 Printed on 5/29/2025 powered by LegistarTM 712 � TINS CITY OF gip_= HUNTINGTON BEACH �FCDUNTY \\��1 City Council Meeting - Council Member Items Report To: CITY COUNCIL From: BUTCH TWINING, COUNCILMAN ANDREW GRUEL, COUNCILMAN Date: JUNE 3, 2025 Subject: EXPLORATION INTO DNA AND COMPUTER FORENSICS FOR THE HUNTINGTON BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT ISSUE STATEMENT Huntington Beach should consider the strategic initiative to establish a DNA and Computer Forensics Laboratory for the HBPD. Considering this as an in-house operation comes with high, value potential. Viability depends on numerous factors including financial, operational, and legal considerations. 1. Faster case resolution. In-house DNA analysis dramatically reduces turnaround times compared to weeks or months utilizing the Orange County Sheriffs Office DNA Laboratory. 2. Rapid Action. Leads to faster arrests and case closures, especially sexual assaults, homicides, burglaries, and property crimes. 3. Centralization. Increased control over evidence processing, enhanced chain of custody integrity, and evidence security. 4. Improved Cold Case Capabilities. HBPD could revive cold cases with newly available, forensic technologies (touch DNA, low copy number samples). 5. Regional Leadership and collaboration. Huntington Beach could become a regional forensic hub, supporting smaller cities nearby (and far away) or partnering with Orange County Sheriff's Department for shared access and cost sharing agreements with other agencies. 6. Grant and Federal Funding. Department of Justice and National Institute of Justice offer significant funding through programs like "DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program" and "Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants." At this time, all HBPD DNA evidence is processed through the Orange County Sheriffs Department and there is a minimum 6 month waiting period for most cases. RECOMMENDED ACTION Direct the City Manager to report back to City Council within 90 days on the feasibility of developing a DNA processing laboratory along with increasing the size and scope of the HBPD's computer forensic laboratory. The study should include start-up costs for equipment and personnel, possible funding sources, legacy costs for additional personnel, equipment maintenance, and the potential positive effects on criminal investigations. STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL Non Applicable -Administrative Item 2000 Main Street,Huntington Beach,CA 92648 I www.huntingtonbeachca.gov 713