Minnesota subgrants Coverdell funds to state and local crime labs.

The Minnesota Office of Justice Programs (OJP) will administer the Coverdell formula grant for the state and manage subgrants with four accredited forensic science labs: the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Duluth Police Department (DPD), Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD).

The BCA proposes to purchase service contracts for two TECAN robots and 14 sets of Elisa plates used to perform toxicological drug screening. Outcomes will be the number of cases screened. Their service area is statewide.  

The DPD proposes to purchase a Leica BLK360 G2 3D scanner. The outcome will be that the Crime Scene and Crash Units can expedite documentation and improve evidence for court. The service area is the City of Duluth, but Crime Scene and Crash Units are often called to assist throughout the northeast region of Minnesota.

The HCSO proposes to fund training and travel expenses for 19 members of the forensic laboratory staff to attend several national and regional training courses and professional meetings. Outcomes are to increase the scientific and operational capabilities of forensic laboratory staff. The service area is Hennepin County, Minnesota.

The MPD proposes to purchase an automated cartridge case triage solution discharged cartridge casings to be processed on scene by non-firearms technicians. Outcome is additional time for trained firearms staff for more critical tasks.  The service area is the City of Minneapolis.

The beneficiaries of all these subgrant projects are the law enforcement areas in their jurisdictions and prosecutors trying related cases.