2016 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Formula)

Kentucky State Police:

The Kentucky State Police Forensic Laboratories and Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) Unit request federal funds to improve both the quality of services provided to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as well as decrease backlogs. These two entities provide all of the forensic services to the entire Commonwealth as there are no other public or even private forensic labs in the state. This responsibility is taken seriously by all involved. The Kentucky State Police propose to utilize grant funds for costs associated with attending forensic conferences and training events to realize better testing quality and the implementation of best practices for improving turnaround times in case completion. With over 100 analytical staff members, representatives of the various forensic disciplines and laboratory leadership attend training and meetings and bring back lessons learned to share with peers. Past years of applying Paul Coverdell grant funds to training and conference attendance has resulted in knowledge transfer for new methods, protocols, and policies. Of additional importance has been the ability of laboratory staff to maintain certification in their respective forensic field.

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner:

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner proposes to improve both the efficiency and efficacy of its dictation and transcription by installing a new and updated dictation system—Nuance Management Server Software Build 4.1. The proposed system will incorporate a new Microsoft operating system. Autopsy reports and various correspondences will then have the capability to be dictated and transcribed on a true real-time basis in order to continue to provide exceptional medicolegal death investigation services to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

nca/ncf