The paul coverdell forensic sciences improvement grant allows qualifying forensic laboratories in wisconsin to address the budgetary needs of non-DNA disciplines

The Wisconsin Department of Justice was awarded a $359,798 Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant from the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance. The grant will support Wisconsin forensic laboratories in addressing budgetary needs for non-DNA disciplines through September 2024. Funds will be distributed to the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Forensic Sciences, Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, and Kenosha County Division of Health to maintain a high level of accurate, quality-driven forensic results while improving timely delivery and addressing emerging issues like opioid analysis. Specifically, Wisconsin will use the funds to increase training, education, and accreditation costs for certifications; support staff positions; obtain opioid laboratory supplies; and acquire critical non-DNA analysis equipment. The goals are to improve Wisconsin's forensic capabilities and help address increasing demands on state and local law enforcement agencies.

Wisconsin agencies working in this collaborative effort include the wisconsin department of justice division of forensic sciences (DFS), the milwaukee county medical examiner's office (MCME), the wisconsin state laboratory of hygiene (WSLH), and the kenosha county division of health (KCDOH). In wisconsin, the forensic demands and case complexity, including opioid related challenges, have continued to rise without a corresponding boost in the budget. In addition, forensic laboratories nationwide, including wisconsin, have been impacted both budgetarily and operationally by the covid 19 pandemic. To expand wisconsin's forensic impact, funds have been equitably distributed to maintain a high level of accurate and quality driven results, to improve the timely delivery of results, and to address emerging forensic science issues. To accomplish these objectives, wisconsin will use the provided funds to increase training and educational opportunities and address accreditation costs and certifications. In addition, wisconsin will use funds to support staff positions, obtain opioid related laboratory supplies, and complete critical equipment acquisitions for the analysis of non-DNA cases. Overall, the accomplishment of these objectives will improve wisconsin's forensic capabilities and will also help ease the expanding demands of the state and local law enforcement agencies.