Nebraska State Patrol FY23 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant Program

The Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab (NSPCL) is a division of the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP). The NSPCL is responsible for analyzing evidence associated with criminal investigations for all state and local law enforcement agencies in the state of Nebraska. The NSPCL is internationally accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

Consistent increases in case submissions, rising backlogs and lagging resources have strained the NSPCL staff’s ability to provide timely services to its customers. While analytical staff numbers have slowly increased to meet customer demands, the lab has relied on Coverdell funding to provide adequate evidence handling staff since 2019.

The FY 2023 funding will be utilized to achieve the following goals:

To provide quality and timely service to our law enforcement community as well as our own internal laboratory customers in the area of evidence handling and administrative support through continued funding of two evidence technicians.

To provide personnel and resources through funding one administrative staff member to initiate converting hard copy case files to electronic format for ease of access as well as save storage costs.

To provide essential discipline specific continuing education for laboratory staff to ensure they stay abreast of current technologies and emerging trends in their respective disciplines as well as process mapping training for select staff members.

To provide quality and timely service to our law enforcement community through funding the purchase of a RUVIS and Dual 77+ Laser for the latent print section, and replacement document and barcode scanners to maintain the lab’s LIMS efficiencies.

To maintain international accreditation through the funding of required on site surveillance activities by NSPCL’s accrediting body, ANAB.

Funding available through this project, will enable the NSPCL to conduct forensic analysis utilizing qualified personnel, with reliable and modern technology. Under this project, the NSPCL will satisfy unmet priority needs, improving the quality and timeliness of forensic laboratory services to law enforcement agencies in Nebraska.