2024 Nevada Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant

The Nevada Department of Public Safety, Office of Criminal Justice Assistance (OCJA) respectfully requests funding from the FY 2024 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement (FSI) Formula Grant Program. OCJA will subaward funds to three (3) Forensic Crime Laboratories in Nevada. The three laboratories and a synopsis of their projects are listed below.

1. Las Vegas Metro Police Department Forensic Laboratory (LVMPD), $134,154:
LVMPD will utilize $79,024 in Opioid funds to procure a service contract for an existing Gas Chromatograph Infrared Spectroscopy (GCIR) Instrument and one (1) rough pump for an existing Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) for the Chemistry Detail Seized Drug Unit. Two (2) lab employees will be provided with opioid training to obtain the latest information in their respective fields. Additionally, the Toxicology Detail will procure solid phase extraction columns to improve the analytical capabilities for opioid cases and reduce backlog.
Funds designated as non-opioid, totaling $55,130, will be distributed among the Latent Print Detail for the acquisition of a new alternative light source (ALS) to enhance the quality of recovered latent prints, and to cover a portion of the overtime needed to decrease the backlog of AFIS cases. The Firearms Detail will be allocated funds for one employee's attendance in the Firearm and Toolmark Examiner Training Academy.

2. Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Forensic Science Division (WCSO), $66,703:
WCSO will fund a variety of specialized training and continuing education for some of approximately fifty (50) case-working analysts, half of whom have five years or less forensic science experience. This includes specialized training for new staff, ongoing training and continuing education for existing staff, courtroom testimony training for approximately twenty (20) analysts, and technical programming training for robotics used in WCSO-FSD DNA and Toxicology Sections to improve efficiency and reduce backlog. All $29,466 of non-opioid funds will be invested in training.
Opioid funds in the amount of $37,237 will be apportioned to $6,911 of opioid training, $25,826 to purchase laboratory supplies for opioid analysis, and $4,500 to procure a new drug library for opioid identification.

3. Henderson Police Department Forensic Lab (HPD), $30,444:
HPD will appropriate the full allotment to training, development, and continuing education required of forensic scientists to acquire and maintain certifications. Opioid training will be funded by $18,987, and non-opioid training will be funded by $11,456. This investment in training will improve the expanding laboratory’s efficiency and promote the ability to deliver accurate, reliable results.