The city seeks to enhance forensic efficiency and accuracy through modernization of the latent print and digital forensics units within the huntington beach police department (hbpd) crime laboratory

The Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded $500,000 to the City of Huntington Beach on May 1, 2026, under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program (CFDA 16.742) to modernize the latent print and digital forensics units within the Huntington Beach Police Department crime laboratory.

The recipient will expand laboratory space, hire two forensic system specialists to increase case throughput, upgrade hardware and forensic software in both units, provide advanced staff training for accreditation compliance, and pursue accreditation to strengthen quality assurance standards. The project targets a 50 percent reduction in turnaround times and a doubling of annual case capacity. The work serves approximately 200,000 residents of Huntington Beach and neighboring Orange County jurisdictions.

The period of performance runs from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2029, with work performed in Huntington Beach, California.

The project will address critical capacity challenges that currently limit hbpds ability to process evidence efficiently and support investigative and prosecutorial demands. The project aims to reduce case backlogs, improve turnaround times, and elevate the scientific quality and reliability of forensic services by expanding the lab area, hiring more staff, and procuring additional equipment. The expansion is necessary to meet growing demand for forensic examinations and ensure timely, high-quality evidence processing that supports justice outcomes. The project will serve the nearly 200,000 residents of the city of huntington beach and neighboring orange county jurisdictions by improving investigative outcomes for law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and crime victims who rely on timely forensic analysis. Key activities include upgrading hardware and forensic software in both units; hiring two forensic system specialists to increase case throughput; providing advanced staff training for accreditation compliance; rehabilitating the lab area; and pursuing accreditationto strengthen quality assurance standards. The project is expected to reduce turnaround times by 50%, double annual case capacity, and achieveaccreditation. These outcomes align with the FY25 coverdell competitive programs goals to strengthen forensic science capacity, ensure accuracy, and enhance timeliness of services across disciplines.