Problem statements/purpose: the opioid epidemic and violent crime continues to burden forensic laboratories with increased case submissions in all disciplines

This $240,448 Formula Grant was awarded on October 1, 2023 by the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance through the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program (CFDA 16.742). The grant funding will support four primary activities at the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory:

1. Upgrading firearms comparison microscopes to improve efficiencies in processing firearms analysis cases.
2. Providing professional development opportunities for forensic scientists and medical examiners to enhance quality and timeliness of services.
3. Acquiring secure refrigeration equipment for counties without access to proper body storage facilities, preserving evidence integrity.
4. Purchasing equipment for the forensic chemistry section to address increased caseloads related to the opioid epidemic and violent crime.

These investments aim to enhance the quality, timeliness, and capabilities of forensic science and medical examiner services across Arkansas in response to growing demands on the state crime laboratory.

As staffing increases to meet this demand, equipment purchases to meet the needs of the additional staff and/or replacement of outdated equipment is not possible with current budgets. Professional development for employees is essential in forensic science. Technologies, methods, standards and guidelines are constantly changing in the forensic community. These changes often times are directly correlated to improved quality and efficiencies. Most forensic laboratories do not have funding to provide professional development for all employees. Counties lack secure body storage refrigeration for decedents that will be submitted to the laboratory for a forensic examination. Evidence that is vital to the case can be compromised and/or lost because of decomposition of the deceased individual. Project strategy/primary activities: there are four primary activities to tackle the problems stated above. Upgrade current firearms comparison microscopes, provideprofessional development opportunities to forensic scientistsand medical examiners, provide adequate refrigeration for counties with no access to refrigeration; and provide equipment in the forensic chemistry section to meet the needs of the increased staff. Anticipated outcomes: there will be improved efficiencies in the processing of firearms analysis cases in the firearms section, attendeesatnational/regional meetings and training seminars will enhance quality and/or timeliness improvements that can be implemented at the ascl which will decrease turnaround times and the backlog, evidence will be preserved as well as the integrity of the decedent; and reduce the bottleneck of case processing in the forensic chemistry section.