The kentucky state police forensic laboratories (KSPFL) have served as the commonwealths sole full-service forensic laboratory system since the 1970S, providing scientific support to more than 400 law…

The Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded the Kentucky Department of State Police $500,000 on May 1, 2026, under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program to establish a dedicated Crime Scene Unit at the Kentucky State Police Forensic Laboratories.

The CSU will extend laboratory-level forensic practices into field evidence collection by integrating standardized documentation, handling, and quality protocols at the point of recovery. The award funds specialized equipment including alternate light sources, high-resolution cameras, portable documentation workstations, personal protective equipment, and consumable supplies for presumptive testing and evidence collection. Training will be provided to CSU personnel in documentation, evidence handling, and safety protocols. Overtime funding will support timely scene response while maintaining regular laboratory throughput.

The CSU will serve law enforcement agencies statewide, improving consistency in evidence collection, reducing rework, and enhancing communication between investigators and forensic analysts. No subrecipients are anticipated.

Performance occurs in Frankfort, Kentucky, with a period of performance from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2029. The assistance type is a project grant.

The kentucky state police forensic laboratories (KSPFL) have served as the commonwealths sole full-service forensic laboratory system since the 1970S, providing scientific support to more than 400 law enforcement agencies and the judicial system. For over five decades, KSPFL has ensured the integrity of kentuckys criminal justice process through accurate, objective, and scientifically sound analyses under ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. This longstanding history of statewide forensic service has highlighted a critical GAP in kentuckys forensic response capabilitiesthe need for a dedicated, laboratory-based crime scene unit (CSU) to ensure consistent, high-quality evidence collection and strengthen coordination between field response and laboratory analysis. The proposed project, establishment of a dedicated crime scene unit (CSU), will expand kspfls capabilities by integrating standardized forensic practices at the point of evidence recovery. Funding is requested to procure specialized equipment, alternate light sources, high-resolution cameras, portable documentation workstations, personal protective equipment (PPE), and consumable supplies for presumptive testing and evidence collection. These resources will extend laboratory-level quality standards into the field, reduce potential sources of error, and improve the reliability and consistency of evidence submitted for analysis. Training will be provided to CSU personnel to ensure proficiency in documentation, evidence handling, and safety protocols. Overtime funding will support timely, high-quality scene response while maintaining regular laboratory throughput. The CSU will serve law enforcement agencies statewide, improving consistency in evidence collection, reducing rework, and enhancing communication between investigators and forensic analysts. No subrecipients are anticipated under this award. Collectively, these efforts directly support all FY25 paul coverdell forensic science improvement competitive program priorities by improving the quality and timeliness of forensic services, strengthening forensic training and competency, and enhancing the integrity, efficiency, and reliability of kentuckys forensic science system.