Montana State Crime Laboratory

The Montana Board of Crime Control (MBCC) acting as the applicant and fiduciary agency and in partnership with the Montana Department of Justice aims to provide the resources necessary for the accurate and timely processing of evidence associated with crime and crime scenes. The Montana Department of Justice Forensic Science Division Laboratory is accredited by the international testing standard by the American Society of Crime Lab Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (accreditation number: ALl-159-T) and is the sole source of forensic services in the state. The State Medical Examiner's Office is also part of the laboratory. The project goal is to ensure a well trained staff of forensic scientists and medical examiners that can continue to reduce the backlog of forensic cases and maintain the high standards related to accurate and timely processing of evidence. MBCC requests base funding of $70,260 to continue support of the Forensic Science Division in meeting this goal. The three objectives for this funding request include: (1) provide continuing education for five (5) forensic scientists from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 in order to maintain the quality of services and, when practicable, the advancement of forensic services; (2) to continue to fund maintenance for our laboratory information management system and to expand the number of licenses; and, (3) to maintain and expand the standard laboratory supplies in Missoula and Billings facilities. Permission is granted to the Office of Justice Programs to share this project abstract (including contact information) with the public.

nca/ncf