Proposal abstract the forensic science unit (FSU) of the washington county, oregon sheriff's office (wcso) lacks the ability to screen and photograph clothing and large items of evidence for…

The County of Washington Sheriff's Office in Hillsboro, Oregon received a $134,076 Project Grant award from the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program (CFDA 16.742) to improve forensic science services. The funding will support construction of a new large evidence examination room with an ergonomic photography station for screening clothing and large items using a Crime-Lite ML Pro Rapid Evidence Screening System. An additional ergonomic station will be developed for latent print processing and small items. Existing laboratory workbenches and flooring will also be ergonomically remediated. These infrastructure and equipment improvements aim to increase the quality and timeliness of examinations performed by the Washington County Forensic Science Unit, thereby supporting more successful crime prosecutions and enhancing public safety. The grant period is from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2025.

Proposal abstract the forensic science unit (FSU) of the washington county, oregon sheriff's office (wcso) lacks the ability to screen and photograph clothing and large items of evidence for biological and trace evidence in a comprehensive manner, to conduct concurrent examinations, and to perform examinations in an environment that does not produce physical stress due to poor ergonomics. The need for a laboratory expansion and renovation, in addition to better quality equipment has been recognized. The FSU has a plan to remedy these issues by: 1) construction of a large examination room with a fully equipped examination/photo-documentation station for clothing and large items, including a crime-lite ML pro rapid evidence screening system, 2) develop an ergonomic examination/photo-documentation station for latent print processing and small items, and 3) ergonomic remediation of the existing laboratory workbenches and flooring. The FSU seeks to leverage available space with technology to implement a processing workflow that supports higher quality and more timely evidence examinations. Improving the scope and timeliness of forensic services in washington county will support successful prosecutions of more crimes, helping make the community safer for citizens. The FSU seeks $134,076 from the FY2022 paul coverdell forensic science improvement grants program - competitive (o-BJA-2022-171341) for construction costs, equipment, improvements, and associated product training. These improvements will further support an increase in the quality and timeliness of forensic science services in washington county while advancing work that promotes civil rights, increases access to justice, supports crime victims, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, builds trust between law enforcement and the community, and addresses opioid and synthetic drug-related challenges.