Colorado's two objectives for the 2024 coverdell program are: 1. Assist forensic laboratories to improve operations in regard to quality; and 2. Support forensic laboratories to reduce backlogs…

The Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS) Division of Criminal Justice received a $356,127 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (CFDA 16.742). The grant will fund initiatives to improve the quality, timeliness, and capabilities of forensic science and medical examiner services across Colorado, including:

• Providing technical training and certification support for non-DNA forensic scientists at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to help satisfy accreditation requirements and reduce the backlog of cases affected by the opioid crisis.
• Funding training and software upgrades for the Denver Police Crime Laboratory and Office of the Medical Examiner to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services.
• Supporting continuing education and training for forensic specialists at the Colorado Springs Metro Crime Lab and Northern Colorado Regional Forensic Lab to enhance their efficiency, effectiveness, and ability to meet accreditation standards.

The grant award period is from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026.

Colorado's two objectives for the 2024 coverdell program are: 1. Assist forensic laboratories to improve operations in regard to quality; and 2. Support forensic laboratories to reduce backlogs through improvements in timeliness. COS 2024 coverdell proposal will support state and local government laboratories whose services benefit the entire state. CO will achieve these objectives through subawards to these accredited forensic laboratories: 1. The colorado bureau of investigation (CBI) is committed to providing high quality services which lead to probative investigative leads defensible in courts across the state. Cbis project includes three activities to help them improve their forensic testing quality, satisfy accreditation requirements, and reduce their backlog: a) provide non-DNA scientists technical training opportunities and support in obtaining or maintaining certifications; B) pay for annual assessment and accreditation fees and purchase all required external proficiency tests; and C) provide overtime to non-DNA scientists to help reduce the casework backlog affected by the opioid and synthetic drug crisis. 2. To improve the quality and timeliness of denvers forensic services, the denver police crime laboratory and office of the medical examiner submitted a collaborative application. Both entities will pursue training opportunities that contribute to the maintenance of personnel certifications. The crime laboratory will also purchase idemia review and amped five software licenses to increase workflow efficiencies by providing tools not otherwise available and to replace tools no longer available or supported. 3. The colorado springs metro crime lab (MCL) provides forensic services to the colorado springs police department, the EL paso county sheriffs office, the 4TH judicial district attorneys office, and the EL paso county coroners office. 2024 coverdell funds will be used to secure training and continuing education for mcls forensic specialists, to complement their field of expertise, which will enhance their efficiency and effectiveness and meet accreditation requirements. Additionally, continuing education and training will provide staff with information on emerging trends and advancements in technology, while remaining current with industry standards and helping to increase mcls proficiency and efficiency. 4. The northern colorado regional forensic lab is a consortium of five law enforcement agencies and CBI providing forensic services to northern colorado. The lab seeks to train forensic scientists in their area of expertise to expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities within their disciplines, to continue improving the quality of their forensic services, and maintain accreditation and certifications. The trainings include courses for biology, latent print, DME, and analyst staff