The georgia bureau of investigation - division of forensic sciences (DOFS) intends to utilize FY2022 paul coverdell formula funds to improve the timeliness of the analysis evidence and to reduce the…

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Division of Forensic Sciences (DOFS) will use a $659,045 Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant award from the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance to improve the timeliness of forensic analysis and reduce its existing casework backlog. Through the end of September 2024, DOFS plans to send approximately 400 suspected opioid drug cases to a private laboratory for analysis and pay existing crime laboratory scientists overtime to analyze an estimated 3,800 non-drug cases involving biology, impressions, firearms, fire debris, trace evidence, and toxicology. The Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program aims to help improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner services. As the sole awardee, the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council will oversee delivery of these forensic analysis services to help expedite criminal case prosecution and exoneration efforts in Georgia.

The georgia bureau of investigation - division of forensic sciences (DOFS) intends to utilize FY2022 paul coverdell formula funds to improve the timeliness of the analysis evidence and to reduce the existing backlog of unworked cases. Timely analysis of evidence in criminal cases will assist the georgia criminal justice system in the prosecution of criminal cases as well as provide information to exonerate the innocent. The requests for the analysis of evidence in criminal cases is greater than the current capacity of the laboratory to provide services. IT is the intent of this project to decrease the backlog of unworked cases and to improve turnaround times by paying existing crime lab scientists to work additional hours (OVERTIME) and to send suspected opioid and synthetic drug cases to a private laboratory for analysis. IT is anticipated that approximately 400 suspected opioid drug cases will be worked at a private laboratory. Additionally, IT is anticipated that 3800 non-drug cases will be worked using OVERTIME funds (biology, impressions, firearms, fire debris, trace evidence, and toxicology).