Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Project

The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory (ASCL) is a full service forensic laboratory serving the entire state of Arkansas. One avenue to make advances in the forensic field is for forensic professionals across the nation to collectively meet to discuss current issues and trends. Individuals attending national and regional meetings in their discipline can collectively discuss with laboratories across the nation improvements to current techniques and introducing new techniques/technologies to the field. This information can then be implemented in the laboratory. This collaboration aids in improving the quality and timeliness of forensic services. The goal of the program is to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services. Objectives to support the goals include providing professional development opportunities to forensic analysts and medical examiner staff and continuing the ANAB and NAME accreditation programs. Project Strategy: Objective 1, analysts and medical examiner staff will attend national and regional meetings and training seminars related to their discipline. Objective 2, continue to meet the training standards by the accrediting bodies. The anticipated outcome is that attendees of national and regional meetings and training seminars will bring back quality and/or timeliness improvements that can be implemented at the ASCL.