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's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded a $358,147 Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant (CFDA 16.742) to the Wisconsin Department of Justice. This formula grant will be used to address budgetary needs and enhance forensic analysis capabilities for non-DNA disciplines across Wisconsin's forensic laboratories, including the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Forensic Sciences, Milwaukee County Medical Examiners Office, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, and Kenosha County Division of Health. 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 cases. This will help improve the timeliness and quality of forensic services, address the growing forensic demands and case complexity in Wisconsin, and support state and local law enforcement agencies.

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. 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.