Crime Scene Investigation Improvement Project

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) solicits applications for initiatives which assist law enforcement in rural states and rural areas. The program helps rural states and rural areas to prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime, and provides for national support efforts, including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address rural needs.

The Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs Program, administered by BJA, helps rural states and rural areas prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime, and provides for national support efforts, including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address rural needs. In addition, priority consideration will be given to local law enforcement agencies in rural areas where the unit of local government is not eligible to receive a direct allocation from the Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program or received a direct allocation that was $50,000 or less. Applicants were invited to submit a proposal under any one of the following categories to: (1) combat rural crime; (2) improve rural law enforcement investigations; (3) enhance rural detention and jail operations; (4) facilitate rural justice information sharing; or (5) develop a national training and technical assistance program.

Under Category 2, the city of Sequim will use its award to support a Crime Scene Investigation Improvement project that involves the re-hiring of a full-time civilian forensic investigator who will serve both the Sequim Police Department and several surrounding city, county, and tribal law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the investigator will conduct forensic training sessions for field officers and be a first responder to crime scenes. Funds will also purchase hardware and software, an Automated Fingerprint Identification System, and a crime scene evidence collection vehicle outfitted with evidence collection kits, a portable generator, lighting, and crime scene processing equipment.

CA/CF