Mesa council approves contract for DNA supplies for public safety department

By Connor Van Ligten
Mail

The Mesa City Council approved a one-year contract for forensic DNA supplies for the public safety support department during its recent meeting.

The vote passed 7-0 as part of a multi-item consent agenda on Dec. 8. The one-year contract will be awarded to the sole source vendor, Thermo Fisher, at $250,000.

The contract will help to pay for products and supplies that process DNA analysis of samples from criminal investigations conducted by Mesa police, according to council documents.

“The Biology Unit of the Forensic Services Division completes DNA analysis of samples from criminal investigations conducted by the Police Department as well as Gilbert, Queen Creek, and the Tempe Police Department,” council documents stated. “...The supplies include reagents and consumables to determine the quantity of DNA present, to make copies of DNA, and to detect DNA on genetic instruments.”

The contract will be funded by the Mesa Public Safety Support General Funds, Restricted Program Funds and Grants-General Government Funds.

Connor Van Ligten
Reporter | Fountain Hills/Scottsdale

cvanligten@iniusa.org

After graduating from Arizona State University's Cronkite School in spring 2022, Connor Van Ligten spent a little over year as a reporter for WWL-TV in New Orleans before finding themselves back in Phoenix in October of 2023. Now back in the Valley and writing for the Mesa Independent and the Daily Independent, Connor is ready to tell meaningful stories and report on important civic issues facing Mesa. Connor is a big fan of the 49ers, Warriors, pro wrestling, anime, dogs and fighting video games.