For Immediate Release  
Date: 2/6/2024

Chairman Don Wagner and Orange County Board of Supervisors Approve Renewal of Sheriff’s Department Crime Lab Erase Kits Contract

(Santa Ana, CA) – Chairman Don Wagner and the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted in favor of a contract renewal with Endeavor DNA, Inc. for the Orange County Sheriff's Department Crime Lab's utilization of Erase Kits.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department Crime Lab’s DNA Bureau employs state-of-the-art technology, including robotics and advanced DNA typing, ensuring precise and efficient analysis of evidence from crime scenes, with a particular focus on sexual assault kits.

In 2020, Chairman Wagner worked with District Attorney Todd Spitzer on initiating the clearing of the over 30-year sexual assault kit backlog. In 2022, that backlog was finally cleared, thanks to the hard work of the Crime Lab. This accomplishment demonstrates our commitment to justice and closure for victims. This monumental accomplishment exemplifies Orange County's unwavering commitment to justice and closure for victims, marking a significant step forward in the pursuit of resolving long-standing cases.

In 2023 alone, the DNA Bureau entered over 1200 crime scene profiles into the Combined DNA Index System. These statistics underscore the DNA Bureau's vital role in enhancing public safety, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing funding and support.

"The work of the Orange County Sheriff's Department Crime Lab’s DNA Bureau is instrumental in ensuring the safety of our community and delivering justice to victims,” said Chairman Wagner. “The renewal of our contract reaffirms our commitment to equipping our law enforcement with cutting-edge tools and technologies to solve crimes efficiently and effectively.”

Chairman Wagner remains dedicated to supporting the Orange County Sheriff's Department and its Crime Lab in their ongoing efforts to maintain the highest standards of forensic analysis and ensure the safety and well-being of the community.

To learn more about the Third District office, please visit donwagnerca.com and follow him on social media @donwagnerca for the latest updates.

###