During Fiscal Year 1997-98, the Investigations and Forensic Science Program improved performance on the majority of its outcome measures. However, Laboratory Services has not yet achieved its standard of 35 days on average to complete lab service requests (excluding serology and DNA).-
FDLE cites staff vacancies as a major factor in failing to meet its timeliness standards and has made the retention and recruitment of crime laboratory analysts a priority.
FDLE should continue to review its methodology for establishing perfor-mance standards. FDLE continues to exceed its performance standards, sometimes to a significant degree.
The program's accountability system met OPPAGA's expectations in three of the four key areas when it was reviewed in July 1998. The program needs to continue its efforts to improve data reliability.
We provided a draft of our report to the Commissioner of FDLE who generally concurred with our conclusions.

Progress Report: FDLE Improves Operations, Some Information and Fingerprint System Backlogs Remain
Report 99-27 January 2000
PB2 Performance Report for the Professionalism Program
Report 98-66 February 1999
Program Evaluation & Justification Review Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Report 97-76 June 1998
Review of the Performance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Professionalism Program
Report 97-42 February 1998

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.