December 16, 2025
Police Department
DATE: December 16, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Timothy Simmons, Assistant Chief of Police
Subject:
Contract Amendment No. 2 with Serological Research
Institute for Forensic DNA Testing and Analysis
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $100,000 expenditure is included within the approved Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Police Department
budget and will be budgeted accordingly in the
subsequent fiscal year budgets (Account String:
01191021 - 400201).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
April 16, 2024
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Serological Research Institute has industry leading lab equipment and testing procedures that can return
positive results in 98 percent of cases. The patented
technology can outperform Contra Costa County Lab
equipment in head-to-head tests. Richmond Police
Department staff would like to add funds and extend the contract termination date.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a second contract amendment with the
Serological Research Institute (SERI) for advanced
forensic DNA testing and analysis laboratory services,
increasing the payment limit by $100,000, for a total
payment limit of $159,000, and extending the term
expiration of the contract to April 16, 2028 – Police
Department (Assistant Chief Timothy Simmons 510-621-
1802).
AGENDA
REPORT
December 16, 2025
DISCUSSION:
Forensic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis plays an essential role in modern law enforcement and criminal justice operations. Advances in DNA technology have revolutionized the way investigators identify offenders, exonerate the innocent, and bring resolution to unsolved cases. The accuracy and reliability of forensic DNA testing are vital to the success of these investigations and to maintaining the integrity of the judicial process.
Since its founding in 1978, the Serological Research Institute (SERI) has established itself as a leader in forensic biological sciences. The laboratory has processed over 14,000 cases involving homicides, sexual assaults, missing persons, kinship analysis, property crimes, and more. SERI’s clients include law enforcement agencies, district attorneys’ offices, public and federal defenders, and private attorneys throughout the United States. Their work has been instrumental in solving cold cases, identifying serial offenders, and exonerating the wrongfully accused.
SERI analysts are recognized experts in the fields of body fluid identification, DNA amplification, Short Tandem Repeat (STR) and Y-chromosome Short Tandem Repeat (YSTR) analysis, and mitochondrial DNA sequencing. They are skilled in recovering usable genetic information from low-level or degraded samples and interpreting complex DNA mixtures involving multiple contributors. SERI’s analysts are also court- qualified expert witnesses who have collectively provided more than 50 years of testimony experience in state and federal courts.
The Police Department sought proposals from forensic DNA laboratories capable of providing advanced testing and analysis for evidentiary samples but only SERI satisfied all the needs the Richmond Police Department sought and thus received an approved sole source authorization form. Three laboratories were evaluated based on experience, range of services, turnaround time, and cost. While one vendor offered lower prices, its scope of work was limited to standard STR analysis and lacked mitochondrial and YSTR capabilities. Another vendor provided comparable services but required outsourcing for specialized testing, which could delay case turnaround and complicate chain-of-custody procedures.
SERI was selected and received sole source approval based on its comprehensive range of forensic services, long-standing reputation for scientific excellence, and proven reliability in handling complex and sensitive evidence. In addition to traditional STR analysis, SERI offers mitochondrial DNA sequencing for degraded or aged samples, YSTR testing for male-specific DNA analysis, and kinship and paternity testing services.
SERI also partners with the Contra Costa County Crime Laboratory, a Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) laboratory, for qualifying uploads to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Combined DNA Index System, ensuring that investigative leads are pursued efficiently.
December 16, 2025
Given SERI’s demonstrated expertise, history of collaboration with law enforcement agencies, and ability to produce high-quality, defensible results, Police Department staff recommend a second contract amendment with the Serological Research Institute (SERI) for forensic DNA testing and analysis services by adding $100,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $159,000, and extending the contract term to April 16, 2028, for a contract term of April 17, 2024, to April 16, 2028. The first contract amendment had only extended the contract expiration date by one year, to April 16, 2026, and did not go to City Council.
This contract will be a stand-alone agreement and will not affect the City’s existing contract for routine evidence collection or laboratory screening services. The addition of SERI will ensure that the Police Department has reliable access to advanced DNA testing and expert consultation for complex or sensitive cases requiring specialized forensic analysis.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Second Contract Amendment
Attachment 2 – First Contract Amendment
Attachment 3 – Original Contract