FY18 NMDPS Paul Coverdell Base Formula Projects to Eliminate Forensic Backlog and Provide Forensic Training

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS) is seeking federal funding from the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program to facilitate the improvement of the quality and timeliness of statewide forensic science and medical examiner/coroner's officer services.

NMDPS's FY18 Paul Coverdell Base Formula Projects to Eliminate Forensic Backlog and Provide Forensic Training for New Mexico project will directly impact the participating New Mexico forensic laboratories' ability to provide training to forensic laboratory staff and to work toward the elimination of forensic case backlogs.

Today, the state of New Mexico's forensic science and medical examiner/coroner's officer services are experiencing a crisis, a backlog of over 10,000 cases, and being confronted with one of the highest drug abuse death rates in the nation. The NMDPS, as State Administering Agency for the State of New Mexico, submits this proposal on behalf of the four primary forensic science and medical examiner laboratories within the state: the New Mexico Department of Public Safety Forensic Laboratories Bureau, the Albuquerque Police Metropolitan Forensic Science Center Evidence Unit, the New Mexico Department of Health Scientific Laboratory Division, and the University of New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator.

Working together, the partners have identified joint priorities within the 2018 Statewide Forensic Strategic Plan to enhance their capacity to serve the needs of the New Mexico population. The coalition is requesting funding to support overtime, outsourcing, and staff training and education.

At the conclusion of the project period, the partners aim to achieve an overall decrease in case backlogs and increase in the number of trained staff in forensic science and medical examiner's officer services available throughout the entire state of New Mexico.

nca/ncf