The District of Columbia's State Administering Agency, Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants, will collaborate with the Department of Forensic Science and the Office of the Chief Medical Examin

Given the opioid epidemic, medical examiner/coroner’s offices across the country are struggling to provide full range of forensic services and toxicology testing to the increasing number of decedents. Attending conferences and trainings will provide OCME staff the ability to learn. Funds will send scientific staff members to trade specific, forensic workshops and conferences for OCME.

DFS opened the Forensic Chemistry Unit to review the drug analysis. The unit will receive 1200 drug related cases. The DEA has analyzed an average of 255 exhibits from the District that were found to contain heroin or synthetic opioids. Funds for DFS will support the purchase of additional imaging equipment that will assist in addressing the opioid crisis and disrupting its distribution.

Outcomes for both agencies will have an impact on service delivery. Staff will improve the quality and timeliness of services and augment the agency’s knowledge base. In addition, it will provide staff the ability to learn about new techniques and acquire new skills, which in turn can enhance the quality of services.

nca/ncf