Federal Grant Award Summary

The Kentucky Department of State Police received a $500,000 Project Grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program (CFDA 16.742), effective May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2029. The award funds the establishment of a dedicated Crime Scene Unit (CSU) within the Kentucky State Police Forensic Laboratories (KSPFL), which has served as the Commonwealth's centralized forensic laboratory system since the 1970s. The project addresses a critical operational gap by integrating standardized forensic practices at the evidence recovery stage, bridging field operations with laboratory analysis.

Deliverables under this award include procurement of specialized forensic equipment such as alternate light sources, high-resolution documentation cameras, portable workstations, personal protective equipment, and consumable supplies for presumptive testing and evidence collection. The funding also supports comprehensive training for CSU personnel in documentation, evidence handling, and safety protocols, as well as overtime funding to ensure timely field response while maintaining regular laboratory throughput. The CSU will serve over 400 law enforcement agencies statewide, standardizing evidence collection practices, reducing rework, and improving coordination between field investigators and forensic analysts. No subrecipients are anticipated under this award.