Board committee backs $986,248 CHP grant to speed OCME DUI testing

The Government Audit & Oversight Committee on July 1 recommended that the Board of Supervisors accept $986,248 from the California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund to support the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). The grant would buy an automated liquid handling instrument and fund two grant‑funded laboratory positions for the 2021–2023 grant period.

David Serrano Sewell, OCME chief operating officer, told the committee the equipment will help “refine and advance” laboratory quality while speeding data delivery to law enforcement and courts. He said the office performs roughly 600 DUI blood tests a year and expects the instrument to accelerate turnaround times without sacrificing accuracy.

Dr. Luke Rota, chief forensic toxicologist, said the technology is intended to provide expedited results for stakeholders, but that OCME’s existing quality controls meet industry standards. After no public comment, Chair Supervisor Dean Preston moved to send the ordinance with a positive recommendation to the full Board; the committee voted 3–0 to forward the item.

The committee's action is a recommendation to the full Board of Supervisors, which will consider acceptance of the grant and associated ordinance on the Board agenda.