Long Beach Police Eye $1 Million DNA Lab To Cut Years-Long Testing Delays

LONG BEACH, CA — Long Beach police could soon begin bringing DNA testing in-house, potentially reducing forensic delays that have historically left investigators waiting months or even years for results.

The City Council is scheduled to consider accepting a $1.031 million federal grant Tuesday, Nov. 10, to establish a DNA testing unit within the Long Beach Police Department's existing Crime Laboratory.

The need for faster testing is substantial. According to the city's fiscal 2025 adopted budget, DNA analysis performed through the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department took an average of 977 days for robbery cases, 475 days for homicides and 70 days for sexual crimes.

Those figures reflect historical averages rather than current turnaround times, but they illustrate the challenges the department hopes to address. The city previously outlined a goal of reducing DNA testing delays to fewer than 60 days by establishing its own unit.

Bringing DNA Testing In-House

According to the Nov. 10 council agenda, the department has already been awarded the funding through the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance. Council members are being asked to authorize its receipt and expenditure.

The money would finance specialized DNA testing equipment, laboratory instrumentation, operating procedures and efforts to address priority casework backlogs. The city purchased a facility in 2019 with sufficient space to accommodate DNA analysis, according to the council staff report.

Bringing testing in-house is expected to give investigators greater control over forensic procedures and quality standards while reducing reliance on outside laboratories. The new unit would primarily benefit victims of crimes committed in Long Beach, although other law enforcement agencies that rely on the department's forensic services could also benefit.

Federal Funding Secured

The project received congressional support from Rep. Robert Garcia, who originally sought $2 million to establish the laboratory. According to an August 2025 city memorandum, the House Appropriations Committee allocated $1.031 million toward the request.

Garcia announced the funding in March, describing the laboratory as an investment intended to accelerate investigations and reduce case backlogs. The grant covers Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2030, and requires no matching contribution from the city. The council staff report also states that the proposed authorization would have no staffing impact beyond existing budgeted duties.

City officials are seeking approval Tuesday to expedite use of the money. An opening date for the DNA unit has not been announced, and the latest staff report does not provide updated testing turnaround times.