Reduction of Backlogged Cases to Improve the Timeliness of Forensic Results for Submitting Agencies in the State of Wyoming

The Wyoming State Crime Laboratory, (WSCL), an operational section of the Wyoming Office of the Attorney General, Division of Criminal Investigation, Is located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The WSCL Is the only full service forensic laboratory in the State that provides examinations In Chemistry, Biology, Firearms/Tool Marks, Latent Prints and Trace Evidence. The fundamental mission of the WSCL is to provide, in a timely manner, a full range of forensic services to state and local law enforcement agencies and the Wyoming Office of the State Public Defender as mandated by State Statute. This laboratory's goals for the 2015 Coverdell program are:
1. Reduction of analysis turn-around times and case backlogs,
a) Within the Drug Chemistry Unit by supporting overtime in response to the increasing demand for analysis.
b) Within the Latent Print Unit by supporting overtime in response to the increasing demand for analysis.
c) Within the Firearms/Toolmark Unit by supporting overtime in response to the increasing demand for analysis.
d) Within the Trace Evidence Unit by supporting overtime in response to the increasing demand for analysis. Consistent with the Coverdell Grant Program Goals of improving the quality and timeliness of forensic services and reducing the number of backlogged cases In forensic laboratories, evaluation of this project will be measured by the reduction In the number of days between evidence submission and completion of the forensic reports associated with that evidence. Backlogs will be measured by the number of cases awaiting analysis throughout the project time-span with the additional information of the number of cases submitted during that same time period. The goals of the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory's application are consistent with the Coverdell Grant Program Goals of improving the quality and timeliness of services, as well as decreasing the backlog of cases awaiting analysis

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