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2017 Georgia Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program

Award Information

Award #
2017-CD-BX-0041
Location
Congressional District
Status
Closed
Funding First Awarded
2017
Total funding (to date)
$243,983

Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2017, $243,983)

The Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council submits this application on behalf of its partner state agency, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

GBI’s Division of Forensic Sciences (Crime Lab) operates 7 laboratories located throughout the state. The laboratory system serves the entire state, which has a population of approximately 10.2 million1. The Crime Lab issues reports to approximately 1,000 criminal justice agencies.

Through this grant, the Crime Lab will use funding from this award for overtime pay to staff in order to facilitate faster entry of evidence into the case management system as well as for data analysis and interpretation, preparation of forensic reports, and peer review.

Overtime will be used by analysts to complete backlog requests or to complete requests less than 30 days old, preventing them from transitioning into the backlog. By utilizing the overtime in this way, both the backlog and the timeliness of reports will be positively impacted. Overtime supports the attainment of the goals stated in the Crime Lab’s 2015 Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan outlines the Crime Lab’s commitment to: 1. Provide quality forensic analyses that meet the needs of the criminal justice community in Georgia; 2. Foster a work environment that is conducive to the recruitment, retention, and development of DOFS employees; 3. Maximize operational effectiveness of the laboratory system; and 4. Expand communication to keep laboratory staff, customers, and stakeholders informed.

nca/ncf

Date Created: September 29, 2017