LVMPD BJA FY 2023 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Forensic Laboratory’s Latent Print Detail and Crime Scene Investigations Section (CSI) are requesting Coverdell funds in the amount of $181,800 to purchase two Full Spectrum Imaging Systems (FSIS) and to provide training in the area of latent print enhancement and recovery improve the current operations of the Latent Print Detail and CSI to recover latent prints from the affected areas in Clark County, Nevada.  Currently, there is a need to improve the capture of latent prints from various surfaces and the FSIS will allow for a more efficient latent print capture workflow. The FSIS will improve the detection rate of latent prints through the use of ultra-violet and infrared light and the enhancement software will allow for more efficient photography and entry of latent prints into the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). The FSIS and training will improve the quality, timeliness, and service capabilities of the LVMPD and the affected area of Clark County, NV.

The objectives of this proposal are to purchase two new FSIS, install and receive training on the new instruments, validate the FSIS, use the validated FSIS to perform latent print development and recovery on evidence submissions, and provide training to analysts in the area of latent print enhancement and recovery.

 To meet the objectives, LVMPD will purchase two FSIS within three months of receiving grant funds, the manufacturer will deliver and install and provide training within nine months of receiving grant funds. Within twelve months of receiving grant funds, the FSIS validation for latent print capture will occur. During the last twenty-four months, CSI and the Forensic Lab will use the FSIS to capture latent prints from items processed by the Latent Print Detail and CSI. The FSIS will provide improved capacity to capture latent prints and reduce the amount of chemical processing required by the Latent Print Detail and CSI. The manufacture estimates that the FSIS will improve the capture of latent prints from items of evidence by approximately 30%, improving LVMPD’s technological capabilities.

While the FSIS is not specifically related to opioid testing the FSIS can be used to enhance and capture latent prints on opioid evidence such as drug packaging. The Latent Print Detail and CSI routinely process opioid related evidence and increasing the quality of latent print recovery for this type of evidence will have an impact on opioid related cases.