Rhode Island State Forensic Services and Accreditation

RI State Crime Laboratory will use their grant funds to pay costs associated with having laboratory analysts attend national conferences/training concerning their areas of expertise. These conferences provide educational opportunities through hands-on workshops and professional presentations on new or revised techniques that the analysts can use to enhance and improve the methods and procedures utilized in the RI State Crime Laboratory. Attendance at these conferences allows for networking with other experts in the field. It also enhances the work product of the Laboratory making certain that it is using the proper techniques that are being standardized across the disciplines through the NIST OSAC.

The DOH Laboratory is proposing to utilize their portion of Coverdell funds to maintain accreditation status through an audit by our accrediting body, ANAB/ANSI. During this grant cycle, they will undergo an off-site desk surveillance audit. The cost for the audit will include annual fees. The DOH Laboratory proposes to pay travel and registration costs to send staff to various trainings and conferences. The Laboratory proposes to monitor the effectiveness of backlog reduction efforts through performance measures, which will include the number of backlogged drug cases awaiting analysis, turnaround times for illicit drugs, and improvement in turnaround times as a direct result of this award.

The office of State Medical Examiners (OSME) will utilize this year’s funding to continue to strengthen its infrastructure by purchasing much needed supplies & equipment to improve work product quality, organize & process information, and improve efficiencies overall. The OSME proposes to purchase a photocopier, as they process thousands of photocopies and printed correspondence as part of its normal course of business. They will purchase digital cameras and lenses, an autopsy room saw and saw blades to replace outdated equipment.
The Rhode Island State Police Forensic Services Unit will seek accreditation by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/Forensic Quality Services (FQS). The activities outlined in this project contribute to that effort in allowing members to attend trainings and conferences, and take necessary certification tests that lend directly achieving accreditation. It also allows them to get supplies needed to ensure the unit has all of the resources to carry out their mission and become accredited.

The Rhode Island Public Safety Grant Administration Office will retain $7,033 in administrative funds to contribute to the salary and fringe benefits of the Coverdell grant administrator.

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