BJA FY 2022 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant Program-Formula

Idaho State Police Forensic Services (ISPFS) provides forensic services for 1.6 million people in the state of Idaho.  There has been a 27% increase in controlled substance (CS) cases finished in Idaho in the last five years.  ISPFS recently achieved ISO 17025:2017 accreditation status for the breath alcohol instrument calibration program.  As a result, the frequency of calibrations required for each instrument has increased, dramatically increasing the workload of the discipline scientists.  In addition, all calibrations must be done in the forensic services laboratory, increasing the travel time to pick up instruments and drop them off after calibration has been completed.  A technician is needed to keep up with the workload in the discipline.  ISPFS will use Coverdell funds to hire two Chemistry/Controlled Substance Analysts and one Breath Alcohol Calibration Analyst to increase casework and decrease backlog. All three individuals will be hired into state positions with state benefits paid with grant funds. 

     ISPFS will also provide assistance to the Canyon County Crime Laboratory to pursue ISO 17025:2017 accreditation in 2023.  This is the final crime laboratory in Idaho that is not accredited.  Idaho would be one of the first states in the country with every traditional forensic science laboratory in the state being accredited.  In addition, ISPFS will commit funds to a contractor to support accreditation preparation for Canyon County and also the ISPFS Crime Scene, Digital Evidence, and Document Examination disciplines. 

     The outcome is to get casework done and maintain current turnaround times as casework continues to increase in these disciplines.