In 2022, the drug chemistry section continued to reduce its backlog, the latent print section eliminated its processing case backlog and began to significantly decrease its analysis case backlog, and the trace evidence section was able to significantly decrease its backlog with a substantial reduction in pending primer gunshot residue cases. Also, during 2022, the toxicology section continued to reduce its turnaround numbers despite cases that are increasing in complexity.
ActiveCases by End of Month in 2022
100 150 200 250 300 350
300
143
84 76
58 12
0 50
Latent Prints Drug Chemistry Trace
Process evaluations and improvements in the pathology workflow resulted in a significant reduction in turnaround time for a family to receive a final autopsy report with a final cause and manner of death.
PATHOLOGY TURNAROUND BY GRANT REPORT PERIOD
0 20 40 60 80 100
86
86
86
80
78.33
77.5
75
73.75
60
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS TO PRODUCE A FINAL AUTOPSY REPORT AT THE END OF THE PROJECT PERIOD.
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS TO PRODUCE A FINAL AUTOPSY REPORT DURING EACH REPORTING PERIOD.
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS TO PRODUCE A FINAL AUTOPSY REPORT PRIOR TO AWARD START DATE.
1/1/2021 - 06/30/2021
7/1/2021-12/31/2021
1/1/2022 - 6/30/2022
In 2022, toxicology analysis in the form of either DUI/DUID or post mortem analysis had an average total turnaround time of 32 days, which was one day faster than 2021. DUI/DUID-only cases had an average turnaround time of 19 days, which was four days faster than 2021.
The analytical chemistry divisions in the laboratory use compressed medical air for their instrumentation, which historically ACOME has purchased in gas cylinders. In 2022
ACOME transitioned the toxicology laboratory and the controlled substances laboratory to an onsite air source generated from the county’s own systems. ACOME plans to further reduce the purchase of medical air with the continuation of the lab air project in trace evidence and environmental chemistry. The elimination of the need to handle large gas cylinders will make for a safer work environment, in addition to reducing costs.
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