FY16 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvements Grants Program

Funding will be used to purchase an alternate light source, two Ruby XL HD Magnifiers, provide funding for a proctor for the ABC exam, and provide funding for continuing education for forensic staff.

The overall objective is to improve the quality and timeliness of the services provided by the Crime Laboratory Division.

The Office of Attorney General, Crime Laboratory Division provides scientific support to the state’s criminal justice system by use of accepted techniques in the analysis, identification, and comparison of physical and toxicological evidence involved in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses. The ND Crime Laboratory currently has twenty-seven employees. The ND Crime Laboratory is a full service Laboratory that processes over 16,000 criminal cases a year, which include the disciplines of fire debris analysis, blood/breath alcohol analysis, offender databasing, DNA casework, drug analysis, firearms/toolmarks examinations, latent fingerprint development, and toxicological analysis. The Crime Laboratory staff also holds training classes to assist law enforcement agencies in pursuit of their daily duties.

The only government agency that will receive Coverdell award funds is the North Dakota Office of Attorney General, Crime Laboratory Division. The North Dakota Attorney General has general investigatory powers relative to actions or omissions of state agencies. Investigations of such allegations are conducted by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation. In addition, the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation Division has a memorandum of understanding with South Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation to perform external investigation if requested.

The North Dakota Office of Attorney General, Crime Laboratory Division is accredited by ASCLD/LAB International program. The accreditation certificate is attached to this application.

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