BJA Paul Coverdell Competitive Grant for Phoenix Police Department

The collection of impression related evidence is a time-consuming process. Advanced photography skills and specialized equipment are essential for the accurate documentation and processing of crime scenes. Opportunities to improve the quality, efficiency, and speed of collection of this evidence can positively impact the effectiveness and quality of the Evidence Screening Section (ESS) and the Crime Scene Response Section (CSR) within the Phoenix Police Department (PPD) Laboratory Services Bureau (LSB), and subsequently its ability to effectively serve its customers in the criminal justice community. 

Coverdell Competitive funds are requested to fund the acquisition of a Gel Lift Scanner Forensic Photography (GLScan FP) imaging system for the ESS and associated consumables to validate the system. The vastly increased speed of automated scanning of gelatin lifts as compared to traditional chemical and photography processing of latent impressions, as well as the enhancement in captured detail will result in observed increases in efficiency and the quality of the work produced. The GLScan FP imaging system will streamline the processing of evidence, reduce the number of photographs being stored, and produce higher quality comparative images, resulting in more timely analysis and improved results. Funds are requested to fund the acquisition of full frame mirrorless camera setups to replace the obsolete Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras currently utilized in CSR and update with new technology to ensure continued operations and the ability to capture high quality images to include comparative photography. In addition to implementing new technology in CSR, the mirrorless camera setups will provide the tools needed to meet the challenges of adequately documenting and providing high quality evidentiary value when responding to crime scenes.  

The leveraging of this readily available and proven technology within the field of forensics is anticipated to increase the quality, effectiveness, and timeliness of the LSB's ESS and CSR sections without adding additional personnel. This technology will assist the LSB in addressing the increasing backlog of service requests in ESS.