FY24 Texas Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant Program

Texas has a backlog of 13,240 pieces of forensic evidence with 79% of the pending requests being related to alcohol, seized drug, and toxicology testing. The continued trend of high arrest rates for drug and alcohol related crimes has perpetuated the demand for drug and alcohol evidence testing. Although the overall number of backlogged cases has decreased over recent years, the continued high arrest rates coupled with the forensic laboratories in Texas being short-staffed has only exacerbated the problem of forensic personnel needing to work overtime to address an already overburdened statewide crime laboratory system. The Texas Office of the Governor's Public Safety Office (PSO) proposes to use its 2024 Coverdell funds to support accredited crime laboratories in reducing the backlog in processing non-DNA forensic evidence. Grant funds will enhance the ability of laboratories operated by state and local units of government, including but not limited to Harris County, the City of Arlington and the City of Austin, to maintain the integrity of the evidence they examine as well as improve the timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner services. Funds may be used to employ, train and fund overtime for forensic laboratory personnel and medicolegal death investigators, provide contractual services for external processing of forensic evidence, and to acquire new or replacement equipment that will improve operations of the laboratory and support a reduction in the backlog of forensic evidence. PSO anticipates the outcome of this funding will result in an improvement of the timeliness of non-DNA evidence processing in Texas.