Paul Coverdell National Forensic Science
(Coverdell)
Improvement Grant
The Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Coverdell Program) awards grants to States and units of local government to help improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner services. Among other things, funds may be used to elimate a backlog in the analysis of forensic evidence; and to train and employ forensic laboratory personnel, as needed, to eliminate such a backlog.
The U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice (NIJ) administers the Coverdell Program and the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Office of the Director is the State Administering Agency (SAA) of these federal funds.
The procedure for allocating Coverdell funds is a formula based on several factors including the number of eligible State applicants. Approximately, 75% of the funds available for Coverdell grants is allocated among eligible States based on population and 25% among State and units of local government through a competitive process.
Eligibility: States may be eligible for both formula and discretionary funds. Units of local government within States may be eligible for discretionary funds and may apply directly to NIJ. Any State of Missouri Crime Laboratory may apply for funding through DPS.
Purposes: A State or unit of local government that receives a Coverdell grant must use the grant for one or more of the following purposes:
To carry out all or a substantial part of a program intended to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner services in the State, including those services provided by laboratories operated by the State and those operated by units of local government within the State.
To eliminate a backlog in the analysis of forensic science evidence, including, among other things, a backlog with respect to firearms examination, latent prints, toxicology, controlled substances, forensic pathology, questioned documents, and trace evidence.
To train, assist, and employ forensic laboratory personnel as needed to eliminate such a backlog.
Use of Funds: Funds may generally be used for the following expenses:
Personnel - forensic science or medical examiner personnel, overtime, interns, consultants, or contracted staff
Computerization - upgrade, replace, lease, or purchase computer hardware and software for forensic analyses and data managment
Laboratory Equipment - upgrade, lease, or purchase forensic laboratory or medical examiner equipment and instrumenation
Supplies - acquire forensic laboratory or medical examiner supplies
Accreditation - prepare for laboratory accreditation by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD-LAB), the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME), or other appropriate accrediting bodies
Education, Training, and Certification - appropriate internal and external training of staff that are directly and substantially involved in providing forensic science or medical examiner services. All education, training, and certification activities must be designedto improve the quality and/or timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner services. Training should be directly related to the job position and duties of the individual(s) receiving the training or seeking certification.
Facilities - program expenses relating to facilities, provided the expenses are directly attributable to improving the quality and/or timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner services.
Formula Grant Funding:
$63,904 for FY 2002; $68,980 for FY 2003; $129,884 for FY 2004; $186,643 for FY 2005, $197,827 for FY 2006