Demonstrating cost-benefit for forensic laboratory resources: Project Resolution

The mission of forensic laboratories is to maximize the value of evidence. As price and quality are relatively fixed for consumers of forensic analysis, the main measure of service effectiveness is timeliness. Resources have been demonstrated as the means to improve timeliness. However, as the availability of governmental resources is also relatively fixed, to optimize resource distribution, there must be an evaluation as to the most effective allocation. Cost-benefit analysis or determination of the return on investment has been demonstrated as an objective means to compare various competing options as targets for resource deployment. Therefore, a cost-benefit analysis of forensic science will be conducted to evaluate the option of applying additional resources to maximize the value of forensic analysis through optimal timeliness of service. A case study will be provided using historical data to examine the net benefit from forensic investigative leads.