FY17 Paul Coverdell Formula Program

Utilizing funds provided under the formula allocation of the Fiscal Year 2017 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program, the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Office of Forensic Sciences (OFS) proposes to further develop and enhance the forensic capabilities of the State and local agencies.

As part of the long term plan begun under previous Coverdell Grant awards, funding from this year's grant will supply resources to provide New Jersey's forensic practitioners with the necessary knowledge, skills and capabilities to ensure high quality, timely forensic services throughout the State.

The procurement of essential equipment will aid in achieving and maintaining accreditation and ultimately ensure that services and analyses provided by all of the State's agencies are of the highest standard. The NJSP OFS will use funds to purchase two (2) additional gas chromatograph-mass spectrometers (GC-MSD) for the Regional Laboratories. These instruments will be used by the Drug Units to analyze narcotics samples. These instruments are critical in the timely analysis of drug-related evidence due to the current heroin epidemic in New Jersey.

This grant proposal will also address the specific individual needs of county and local laboratories to enable them to obtain funding to support the statewide goals and the purposes of the FY2017 Paul Coverdell Grant. A competitive subaward process for county and local forensic and ballistics laboratories and medical examiners offices will help these laboratories provide the training and equipment necessary to increase productivity, timeliness and quality of forensic science services.

nca/ncf