Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant to improve forensics and crime investigation systems for Sugar Land Police Department's FSU.

The City of Sugar Land proposed to implement the Sugar Land Police Department's Forensic Science Unit Expansion Project to train, assist, and employ forensic laboratory personnel and/or medicolegal death investigators, as needed, to eliminate such a backlog; and to address emerging forensic science issues (such as statistics, contextual bias, and uncertainty of measurement) and emerging forensic science technology (such as high throughput automation, statistical software, and new types of instrumentation). The project will benefit the City of Sugar Land, surrounding cities, communities, and regional entities.

From 2020 to 2023, Sugar Land's Part I Violent Crimes increased by 8 percent. Between 2021-2023, drug offenses spiked 61 percent and drug arrests linked to marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, THC products, and fentanyl increased by 57 percent. This upshift in drug related activity and drug facilitated deaths, specifically due to illicit narcotics such as fentanyl and opioids had a significant impact on Sugar Land Police Department's Forensic Services Unit (SLPD FSU). The increase in calls for service, quantity of evidence items being submitted, advanced equipment needs, marginal staffing ratios and needed discipline-based training opportunities within the SLPD FSU are affecting the quality of services provided by the Special Operations Bureau to its criminal justice and citizen customers.  

Coverdell Forensic Science Grant funds will be used to procure updated digital imaging systems to replace current digital cameras used in the field. Additionally, the funds will be used to add new capabilities in the laboratory for evidence processing (Foster Freeman Crime Lite Auto, Discover, and AARI (Amino Acid Rapid Imager)) particularly for processing drug related evidence for friction ridge detail. SLPD FSU is in the process of acquiring new staff. Funds will be used to equip SLPD FSU offices with updated technology, furniture, and software. Funds will also be used to offer quality related trainings and professional developments essential to maintaining staff certifications issued by the International Association for Identification as certified crime scene investigators and certified latent print examiners and the Texas Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technicians (T.A.P.E.I.T) Evidence Technician certification. Outcomes based on program implementation are an upgraded FSU which will meet current and forecasted needs; more efficient and effective FSU; and more quality and skilled staff.