1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: November 7, 2023
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Michael Albanese, Chief of Police
BY: Courtney Padgett, Police Administrator
SUBJECT: Acceptance of the Donation of a Forensic Science Fuming Chamber and Service Agreement Valued at $21,954 from the Los Angeles County Regional Identification System for Biometric Identification Services.
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the donation of a forensic science fuming chamber and service agreement valued at $21,954 from the Los Angeles County Regional Identification System (LACRIS) for biometric identification services.
BACKGROUND
Forensic science is a critical component within the criminal justice system. The Police Department (Department) operates a Forensics Unit within the Investigation Division.
Forensic Specialists are responsible for gathering, examining, and processing evide nce from crime scenes to develop objective findings that can assist in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of crime or absolve an innocent person from suspicion.
DISCUSSION
LACRIS is responsible for the identification of all individuals arrested in Los Angeles County. LACRIS personnel research, purchase, install , and maintain identification equipment used by 64 law enforcement agencies in over 150 locations, including Burbank, and train over 1,500 users annually on the functionality of use of equipment.
LACRIS regularly pursues advancements in technology to support contemporary biometric identification systems and processes for the law enforcement community.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
2 Fingerprints are one of the most valuable types of evidence pertaining to criminal incidents due to their uniqueness and frequent presence at crime scenes. To support the continued effective and efficient fingerprint identification processes for the City, LACRIS has donated a superglue fuming chamber to the Department .
Superglue fuming is a process in which nonporous items that may contain fingerprints (such as glass, plastic, etc.) are placed in an airtight chamber and exposed to superglue vapors. When vaporized, the glue reacts to traces of moisture and organic components of fingerprint residue. As a result, fingerprint residue often turns white and becomes bonded to the surface. Faint prints, which could not be seen with the naked eye or with the help of powders, can become visible through the fuming process.
Manufactured by Foster+Freeman, the MVC FFLex S
fuming system is a benchtop fuming cabinet that
employs the most advanced cyanoacrylate (CA glue or
superglue) technology. The equipment has reduced
cycle times to provide efficient evidence processing,
large inspection windows for greater visibility, internal light emitting diode ( LED) illumination to enhance print visibility and contrast, and removable fan units for easy cleaning and maintenance. This equipment will greatly
enhance the Department’s ability to analyze latent
fingerprints on various types of evidence and nonporous materials. This forensics technology will further advance evidence processing capacity and aid in the rapid and
accurate identification of individuals connected to a
crime scene, apprehension of suspects, successful prosecution of criminal cases, and justice for the victims of criminal activity.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval to accept this donation of biometric identification equipment has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal.
Code Regs § 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate fiscal impact to the City for the acceptance and deployment of the donated equipment for use by the Department’s Forensics Unit. LACRIS has fully funded the $13,071 purchase cost for the fuming chamber and a five-year service agreement
3 valued at $8,883 over the life of the agreement. LACRIS provides delivery of the equipment and training at no cost to the City.
The City’s cost will be depreciated funds for the future replacement of the equipment and implementation of a new service agreement in 2028. Equipment will be depreciated over a five-year period for future replacement and service costs. Rec urring c osts for the materials and supplies required to utilize the equipment are estimated to be approximately $2,500 annually. Costs for these materials and supplies will be funded through the Department’s approved annual budget.
CONCLUSION
Pursuant to Administrative Procedure VI-12 Contribution of Merchandise or Money to City Departments, Council’s acceptance of t he donation of a forensic fuming chamber and service agreement valued at $21,954 from LACRIS furthers the Department’s use of emerging technology and the provision of contemporary biometric identification services for the Burbank community.
ATTACHMENT
None.