Oregon's BJA FE 2024 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program - Formula

The Oregon State Police (OSP), Forensic Services Division (FSD) provides scientific, technical and investigative support to the criminal justice system through the collection and forensic analysis of evidence. The Division, accredited by ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) to the ISO:IEC 17025:2017, provides the state’s only full service forensic laboratory system. The Division provides services to all criminal justice agencies from its five forensic laboratories located in Portland, Springfield, Central Point, Bend, and Pendleton. There are 141 authorized positions in the division.

In November 2020, Oregon voters passed Measure 110, changing how the state handled the use of illegal drugs. This measure reduced penalties for drug possession, making Oregon the first state to decriminalize the personal possession of illegal drugs. Measure 110 went into effect in February 2021 and dramatically reduced the number of felony and misdemeanor possession of controlled substance cases submitted to the OSP Crime Lab for analysis. At the same time, the FSD saw an increase in Toxicology submissions. The two main factors for this increase were the increase of drug use while operating a vehicle, and the reallocation of law enforcement agency resources from possession cases to impaired driving cases. In March of 2024, Oregonians voted to recriminalize hard drugs. This repeal was the first step for law enforcement to have the tools they need to save lives, get drug dealers off the streets and enroll users in treatment services.

The FSD is proposing to use grant funds for overtime to help reduce the backlog and help maintain 80% of cases be completed under 30 days. The FSD is also proposing to use anticipated awarded grant funds for Qualtrax software subscription fee; the purchase of a GC/MS instrument; and administrative costs.