TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
FROM: Adam Jevec, Chief of Police
1. Subject
title
Appropriation of $55,000 from the County of Orange for the 2025 Proposition 69 funding award and approval of purchase of a forensic imaging and evidence detection device from Foster & Freeman USA Inc.
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2. Summary
The County of Orange has awarded $55,000 in Proposition 69 funds to the Orange Police Department for a forensic imaging and evidence detection device to support costs associated with the collection, verification, and/or management of DNA evidence.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
1. Accept into the City’s Reimbursable Capital Projects (550) revenue budget $55,000 in 2025 Proposition 69 funding from the County of Orange to:
550-4134-43299-264067 State - Other
2. Authorize the appropriation of $55,000 into Reimbursable Capital Projects (550):
550-4134-80101-264067 Equipment - Prop 69 2025
3. Approve the sole source purchase of the Crime-Lite AUTO device from Foster & Freeman USA Inc. for $54,831.94.
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4. Fiscal Impact
There is no direct fiscal impact to the City. The additional revenue received from the County of Orange will fund the expense for this purchase.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 1: Maintain Strong Emergency and Safety Services
Objective1.2: Increase technology to reduce crime
6. Discussion and Background
Proposition 69 (Prop 69) DNA Fingerprint, Unsolved Crime and Innocence Protection Act of 2004, established a guaranteed funding source for costs associated with the collection, verification, and management of DNA evidence. Funding provisions are found in Government Code §76104.6 which allocates $1 for every ten dollars of every fine, penalty, or forfeiture collected by the courts for criminal offenses, including all offenses involving a violation of the Vehicle Code or a local ordinance adopted pursuant to the Vehicle Code.
On November 13, 2025, the Prop 69 Committee approved the allocation of 2025 DNA Identification Fund revenues and estimated funding totaling $400,000. The Committee voted to allocate $396,667 as a one-time funding request, of which $55,000 was awarded to the Orange Police Department for the Crime-Lite AUTO DNA Location and Capture device.
The Crime-Lite AUTO is a forensic imaging and evidence detection device designed for use by crime scene investigators and forensic labs. The device is engineered to detect and image a wide variety of forensic evidence types using tailored lighting conditions from ultraviolet through visible to infrared wavelengths. The device will help reveal:
• Body fluids (semen, saliva, and urine etc.)
• Bloodstains on dark fabrics
• Fingermarks and fingerprints
• Hair, fibers, glass, accelerants, and gunshot residues
• Bruises, bite marks, and shoeprints
• Other trace evidence
The device is an all-in-one forensic imaging tool with illumination, camera, filters, display, and software. This tool will help innovate, enhance, and strengthen the department’s DNA program. The Crime-Lite Auto would be used in a laboratory setting as well as in the field to detect, capture, and enhance DNA evidence in a nondestructive manner. It will also be used to strengthen and enhance the department’s latent print program.
Currently, the Police Department does not have an all-in-one option to detect, document, and collect evidence while at the scene that will also work in a laboratory setting. Using this cutting-edge technology will allow the department to increase the likelihood of location and collection of DNA, fingerprint, and other trace evidence.
Staff has researched available competitive options and certifies that Crime-Lite AUTO is offered by only one vendor. Foster & Freeman USA Inc. in Ashburn, Virgina, is the sole manufacturer of the forensic device.
Prop 69 DNA fund revenues are reimbursable and must be expended by August 2027.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Foster & Freeman USA Inc. Quote
• Foster & Freeman USA Inc. Sole Source Letter