Improving the Quality and Timeliness of Forensic Science in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory is requesting funds to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science services by purchasing critical equipment, funding overtime and for training opportunities. The Crime Scene Service Section intends to purchase four OSCR capture kits, five cameras, six computers, and an alternate light source. The Firearms Identification Section would like to fund travel and training for two analysts to attend the annual ATFE conference. The following initiatives are to assist with the opioid abuse crisis: funds to support overtime for the Drug and Toxicology/Post Mortem Toxicology units to assist in increasing the case output and decreasing the backlog. The Drug Unit is also requesting funds for a Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer and a Smart iTX Diamond ATR to replace non-functioning equipment. The Toxicology/Post-Mortem Toxicology Unit requests funds for three MultiQuant software licenses. The Drug and Toxicology units are requesting funds for travel and training. The Boston Police Department Forensic Group would like to utilize funds from this program to fund travel and training. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner proposes to fund overtime for medical examiners to reduce the backlog of pending death certificates and autopsy reports. NCA/NCF