Delaware's FY2024 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Formula Grant

Delaware Division of Forensic Science (DFS) is charged with forensic science services Statewide.  There is one state Division of Forensic Science (DFS) in Delaware with locations in Wilmington and Georgetown. This Abstract summarizes the proposed use of FFY2024 Coverdell formula funds to address challenges posed by opioids and/or synthetic drugs.

    Delaware continues to be significantly impacted by the opiate crisis, most notably though the abuse of Fentanyl.  Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic, mimics the effects of morphine in the human body, but has a potency 50–100 times that of morphine. Fentalogues, which are structural derivatives of Fentanyl, are among the most dangerous of the novel psychoactive substances.  Accidental drug deaths investigated by the Medical Examiner Unit continue to rise, increasing from 400 deaths in 2018 to 527 deaths in 2023, which is an increase of 32% in just 5 years.  The rise of accidental drug deaths between 2020 (447 deaths) and 2023 (527 deaths) was a staggering 18%. Abuse of opiates like Fentanyl continues to be a significant contributor to accidental drug deaths in Delaware.  In 2023, 85% of all accidental drugs deaths in Delaware involved Fentanyl. 

     Approximately 90% of the requested budget are designed to address opioid- and synthetic drug-related challenges faced in Delaware. Funds subgranted to DFS will be used to purchase equipment to support the Toxicology unit including a hydrogen generator for volatiles testing and a glassware dishwasher to be used to clean and disinfect biohazardous laboratory glassware.  Certified reference standards will also be purchased, including new and emerging opioid and synthetic substances.  Additionally, funding will allow DFS to partner with National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) and our current Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) vendor to create an interface for data sharing with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Division (DEA) in the Forensic Chemistry, Toxicology, and Medical Examiner Units.   

    Funds requested in this application will increase the timeliness and efficiency of the DFS by allowing more efficient processing of toxicology samples, leading to a decreased turnaround time.  In addition, collaborating with NFLIS and our vendor to create a data sharing interface will aid in collecting a more inclusive snapshot of drug activity and accidental drug overdose deaths in Delaware.