The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) announced grant awards totaling more than $210 million to fund crime laboratories, support research, decrease DNA backlogs, and help law enforcement identify missing persons.
“A sound and robust forensic science infrastructure is critical to public safety and to the integrity of our systems of justice,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon for OJP. “These awards provide critical resources that will allow investigators, crime lab professionals and forensic specialists to solve crimes, bring answers to victims and ensure that the principles of fairness and equity are fully reflected in our criminal justice practices.”
Following are the fiscal year 2021 Bureau of Justice Assistance awards announced:
- DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program: more than $89.6 million.
- Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Training and Technical Assistance Program: more than $3.3 million.
- National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative: more than $43 million.
- Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program: nearly $29.7 million.
- Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA Program: $7 million.
- Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence – Inventory, Tracking, and Reporting Program: nearly $1 million.
- Strengthening the Medical Examiner and Coroner Program: more than $2 million.
- Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Site Based and Training and Technical Assistance Program: nearly $5.5 million.
View the press release to learn more.