Description of the issue: forensic laboratories are constantly faced with the challenge of increasing caseloads and demand for forensic analyses without an increase in resources

This $217,832 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program (CFDA 16.742) will enable three accredited forensic science laboratories in Kansas to enhance their forensic analysis capabilities and services.

The funding will be used to: purchase a portable scanner system to increase efficiency, reproducibility, and objectivity; acquire a gas chromatograph to replace existing equipment for post-mortem biological specimen testing; provide annual maintenance for the laboratory information management system (LIMS) to facilitate documentation and quality tracking; and obtain annual licenses for GrayKey and Berla IVE software to support digital forensics analysis. These investments aim to increase the timeliness and quality of forensic services, reduce case backlogs, expand opioid and synthetic drug testing, and improve overall services to the Kansas criminal justice community. Grant sub-awards will support specific purchases of software licenses and analytical instrumentation upgrades across the participating state and county-level forensic laboratories.

Similarly, laboratories are expected to keep pace with technological advances, support, and equipment capabilities with the current limited funding. Utilization of funds: the three accredited forensic science laboratories in kansas will share these funds to: purchase and implement a portable scanner system to increase efficiency, reproducibility, and objectivity; purchase a gas chromatograph to replace existing equipment used for post-mortem testing of biological specimens; provide laboratory information management system (LIMS) annual maintenance to facilitate and digitalize bench notes, evidence transfers, examination documentation, reporting, and tracking of laboratory quality metrics; and provide annual licensing for grayshift graykey software and berla IVE software. Outcomes: the overall outcomes to be achieved are: increased efficiency through improved quality and timeliness of forensic services; reduction of case backlog; increased testing of opioids and synthetic drugs; and improved services to the kansas criminal justice community.