Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $1,000,000)
The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.
The University of Southern Mississippi will use the FY 2009 Congressionally Selected Award to continue the creation of a nationally recognized forensic science program; continue to provide advanced degrees and training at the graduate level to support practitioners within the field; continue to support the local and state law enforcement agencies with crime scene processing needs while enhancing existing international forensic science training; and to continue the forensic science research with the goal of commercializing technology, creating jobs, and partnering with other local, state, federal, and private forensic entities. The target population of this grant is undergraduate students along with graduate students already in the field working in state, local, federal, and international law enforcement agencies as well as partnerships with local, state, federal, and private research laboratories to validate, invent, and commercialize applied technology.
NCA/NCF