In the past, the hamilton county coroner's office and crime laboratory's trace evidence sectionwas equipped with two comparison microscopes, allowing for ease of concurrent casework analysis and…

The Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded Hamilton County, Ohio $125,000 on May 1, 2026, to acquire a comparison microscope for the Hamilton County Coroner's Office and Crime Laboratory Trace Evidence Section under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program (CFDA 16.742).

The county's trace evidence section currently operates with a single comparison microscope, nearly ten years old and increasingly difficult to maintain due to scarcity of replacement parts. The acquisition of a new comparison microscope will enable concurrent casework analysis and training, reducing analyst time-sharing and case backlog while improving turnaround time for law enforcement and attorneys. The second microscope will enhance trace examination capabilities and training efficiency without compromising quality or operational continuity.

Performance occurs in Cincinnati, Ohio. The period of performance runs from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2029.

In the past, the hamilton county coroner's office and crime laboratory's trace evidence sectionwas equipped with two comparison microscopes, allowing for ease of concurrent casework analysis and training. The current comparison microscope, which is almost ten years old, is becoming increasingly difficult and costly to maintain due to the scarcity and required modification of replacement parts. Many trace examinations require the use of a comparison microscope. Analysts must give careful attention to detail, which can be laborious. With only one, functional comparison microscope available, analysts must divide time on the current microscope while juggling casework and training simultaneously. Having a second, fully operational comparison microscope will significantly improve the analysts ability to handle both tasks without compromising on quality or efficiency. A new comparison microscope would allow analysts to clear the backlog more effectively by increasing throughput, ultimately leading to a faster turnaround time for law enforcement agencies and attorneys who rely on the laboratorys services. The acquisition of a new comparison microscope will enhance our casework capabilities, improve training efficiency, and support the overall mission of improving the quality and timeliness of the trace evidence section.