FY 2016 Paul Coverdell National Forensic Science Improvement Grant

As the demands on crime laboratories continue to increase, it is essential for crime laboratory personnel, in all forensic science disciplines, to be adequately trained, competent, and proficient in the latest forensic technologies and methodologies. As a result, training and professional development are key to Missouri's statewide plan to improve the delivery and quality of forensic science services its crime laboratories provide to the law enforcement communities they serve.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) will coordinate with the Missouri Association of Crime Laboratory Directors (MACLD) to use Missouri's portion of base funding of $148,201 to provide forensic
science training and certification for the personnel of Missouri's crime laboratories.
This is a continuing Coverdell-funded project that will provide professional training in a variety of forensic science disciplines, including Crime Scene, DNA/Biology, Drug Chemistry, Firearms, Latent Print, Photography/Digital Media, Toxicology, and Trace Evidence, as well as areas such as accreditation, laboratory management, computer systems, auditing, and laboratory inspections/assessments.
This project will directly improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science services provided to the law enforcement community of Missouri by increasing examiner proficiency, competency, knowledge, skills,
and abilities. This project involves all of Missouri's crime laboratories - those operated by units of local government and those operated by the State.
Competitive Application:
Within the State of Missouri, there currently exist five (5) forensic laboratory systems which work closely with one another to meet the needs of Missouri law enforcement. All five systems share the funds derived from the Coverdell base award. These laboratories are comprised of local, county, and state systems.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), which is under the DPS, operates a system of eight (8) state crime laboratories.
The MSHP is applying for a competitive award of $185,600 to address a critical need in its respective lab system operations. This request is above and beyond the base award, because the base award must be shared by all five (5) systems and is insufficient for individual lab entities to purchase the sophisticated, modern laboratory instrumentation needed.
The MHSP is seeking funding to enhance operations at two (2) of its eight (8) labs in which Trace Evidence examinations are performed: General Headquarters in Jefferson City and Troop D in Springfield.
The MSHP seeks funds to purchase two new Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spectrometers. The new EDX units will each consist of a spectrometer, computer and gunshot residue software.

ca/ncf