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

The Department of Justice Wisconsin received a $378,093 Formula Grant under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. The grant, awarded on October 1, 2023, will fund initiatives to enhance the quality, timeliness, and capabilities of forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services in Wisconsin. Specifically, the funds will be used to increase training and educational opportunities, support staff positions, maintain accreditation, purchase supplies, and acquire critical equipment for the analysis of non-DNA forensic cases. This will help address budgetary needs, manage the rising forensic demands and case complexity, and mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Wisconsin's forensic laboratories. The grant involves a collaborative effort between 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. The goal is to improve Wisconsin's overall forensic capabilities and support law enforcement agencies across the state.

Wisconsin agencies working in this collaborative effort include the wisconsin department of justice division of forensic sciences (DFS), the milwaukee county medical examiners 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 wisconsins forensic impact, funds have been equitably distributed to maintain a high level of accurate and quality driven results as well as to improve the timely delivery of results. To accomplish these objectives, wisconsin will use the provided funds to increase training and educational opportunities. In addition, wisconsin will use funds to support staff positions, maintain accreditation, purchase supplies, and complete critical equipment acquisitions for the analysis of non-DNA cases. Overall, the accomplishment of these objectives will improve wisconsins forensic capabilities and will also help ease the expanding demands of the state and local law enforcement agencies.