24 Edward Bryne Memorial Grant to support property and evidence reduction.

When a crime is committed, police officers, detectives and crime scene specialists collect property and evidence from the scene to investigate/solve the crime and prosecute the offender. Items seized from the scene are held in the Department’s secured property and evidence warehouse for forensic processing and court hearing exhibits. All items must be held until the crime is solved and the case is closed (offender is adjudicated). Once the case is closed, the property and/or evidence is/are eligible for release or destruction. State statutes and City Ordinances regulate the disposal/release procedures for property and evidence. Due to the duration of some cases, it takes several months and/or years to be solved and closed. Meanwhile new crimes are committed that result in new property and evidence brought to and stored in the warehouse.

The use of JAG funds to support this position allows the Department to improve the quality, timeliness, and credibility of the forensic science services for criminal justice as it relates to the maintenance, security, testimony regarding property and evidence, and final disposition of the evidence.