The 2024 paul coverdell forensic sciences improvement grant affords qualifying forensic laboratories in california an opportunity to improve their efficiency and effectiveness to provide forensic…

The 2024 Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant, a Formula Grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (CFDA 16.742), provides $2,360,916 in funding to the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to enhance the quality, timeliness, and capabilities of forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services across the state.

The grant allows qualified forensic laboratories, medical examiners' offices, and coroners' offices in California to use a combination of program objectives to improve forensic science services, reduce backlogs, facilitate accreditation, and address emerging forensic science issues. Cal OES will use the grant funding to acquire and maintain accreditation for crime labs, reduce backlogs, and improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science services throughout the state. Key sub-awardees include the City of Oakland Police Department, County of San Diego Sheriff's Department, County of Contra Costa Office of the Sheriff, City of Long Beach Police Department, San Diego Medical Examiner, and various other county and municipal forensic science providers in California.

The 2024 paul coverdell forensic sciences improvement grant affords qualifying forensic laboratories in california an opportunity to improve their efficiency and effectiveness to provide forensic science services through the improvement of the quality and timeliness of forensic services, the reduction of the number of backlogged cases, facilitation of accreditation of forensic laboratories, and address emerging forensic science issues. Funds awarded through this grant will allow californias local forensic science laboratories, medical examiners offices, and coroners offices to continue to provide support to law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies throughout the state. Californias coverdell program allows qualified forensic laboratories the flexibility to use a combination of any, or all, of the program objectives to meet the overall state goals and federal intent of the program. Each california crime laboratory, medical examiners office and coroners office is unique. CAL OES will utilize the 2024 paul coverdell forensic sciences improvement grant funding to acquire and maintain accreditation for crime labs, reduce backlogs, and improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science services throughout the state.