Guam FY 2024 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program

The intent of the proposed project is to enhance the efficiency and capabilities of GPD Forensic Science Bureau’s forensic services to support the criminal justice system in Guam. As well as to support essential operations, ensuring adherence to stringent accreditation standards, facilitating the professional development of FSB personnel, and significantly enhancing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. Equipping the FSB with updated forensic instrumentation, state of the art forensic equipment, and supplies is paramount to addressing the emerging opioid crisis and improving the quality and timeliness of evidence processing and drug analysis. Personal protection, forensic supplies, and laboratory supplies will be used for protection against opioid exposure during the collection, processing, and/or analysis of controlled substances and will also aid in the processing and documentation of crime scenes.

In an effort to maintain accreditation standards, GPD will conduct proficiency testing of all disciplines to determine the performance of the laboratory for specific tests or measurements and to monitor the laboratory's continuing performance and for verifying the effectiveness of the accreditation process. The proposed project will fund proficiency testing for analysts and examiners, and provide forensic training to increase knowledge and skills in the analysis and identification of forensic evidence. Specific forensic science training opportunities for the Drug Analysis, Biological and Analysis, Crime Scene Response, Latent Fingerprint Analysis, and Firearms Sections to maintain their proficiency and qualification in processing forensic evidence, collecting crime scene evidence, and to keep current with new methods to improve the quality and timeliness of processing forensic evidence. 

Implementation of the proposed activities will achieve several critical outcomes:
1. Reduce Backlog Processing. The FSB will aim to reduce the backlog of case evidence by at least 20%. This reduction will ensure more timely criminal justice outcomes and improve overall case management efficiency. 2. Enhance Forensic Quality. Updated state of the art forensic equipment and comprehensive training will improve the quality of processed case evidence, resulting in continued up-to-date, accurate and reliable forensic results. 3. Increase Knowledge and Skills. Targeting training programs will enhance the knowledge, skills, and capacity of FSB personnel, particularly in the areas of firearms and toolmark examinations, as well as in the analysis of opioids and other controlled substances.