Forensic laboratories have seen a dramatic increase in fentanyl-related deaths

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has been awarded a $1,262,580 Formula Grant under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (CFDA 16.742) from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance. This funding will assist accredited forensic and medical examiner laboratories in New York State in improving the quality and timeliness of forensic science services and reducing backlogs, with a particular focus on addressing challenges related to the opioid and synthetic drug crisis. The grant will support the acquisition of laboratory equipment, personnel/fringe, accreditation fees, training, and supplies to enhance case processing capabilities. DCJS will distribute the majority of the funds (55%) to nineteen interested laboratories to help them increase efficiency and effectiveness in delivering forensic analysis services. The remaining 45% of the funding will cover DCJS's state administrative expenses related to oversight and compliance on the opioid and synthetic drug-related initiatives. This 2-year grant period commences on October 1, 2023.

This funding will assist new york state's accredited forensic and medical examiner laboratories in improving the quality and timeliness of forensic science services and reducing backlogs. This proposal requests funding including new york state division of criminal justice services (dcjs) state administrative expenses. This award will specifically target the challenges the opioid and synthetic drug crisis has brought to the forensic science community. Dcjs administrative expenses are related to oversight and compliance on the opioid and synthetic drug related funding. The remaining (45%) of funding will be distributed to target non-opioid drug and synthetic drug related funding. The award amount, less administrative costs, will be distributed evenly to the nineteen (19) interested laboratories to provide them with resources to help continue to improve the quality and timeliness of public forensic and medical examiner services. Dcjs will work closely with these laboratories to improve their efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of forensic analysis services to their client agencies. These funds will support items, such as laboratory equipment, personnel/fringe, accreditation fees, training, and supplies to support case processing, which will result in trained personnel, increased laboratory efficiency, laboratory staff completing multiple tasks simultaneously, and backlog reductions.