Yujiemi Chisholm – Forensics TTA

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Forensics TTA

Certification Form Quick Tips: Plan for Forensic Science Laboratories

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks to fund improvements to forensic science and medical examiner/coroner (ME/C) services through the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Coverdell Program). Under the Formula Coverdell Program, State Administering Agencies (SAAs) may apply for funds to improve forensic science and ME/C services provided by laboratories operated by the state or units of local government. The Coverdell law requires state applicants to create a plan for forensic science laboratories supported by the Coverdell Program, and then certify the plan. The plan must outline a strategy for how Coverdell Program funds will improve the quality and timeliness of the forensic services provided.

February 2026

Forensics TTA

Certification Form Quick Tips: Generally Accepted Laboratory Practices and Procedures

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks to fund improvements to forensic science and medical examiner/coroner (ME/C) services through the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Coverdell Program). Under the Formula Coverdell Program, State Administering Agencies (SAAs) may apply for funds to improve forensic science and ME/C services provided by laboratories operated by the state or units of local government. The Coverdell law requires state applicants to certify that any forensic science laboratory system or ME/C office receiving Coverdell Program funds uses generally accepted laboratory practices and procedures as established by accrediting organizations or appropriate certifying bodies. To meet this requirement, SAAs should demonstrate that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aligned to those provided by accrediting organizations or appropriate certifying bodies exist and are in use within the forensic science laboratory system or ME/C office.

February 2026

Forensics TTA

Certification Form Quick Tips: Forensic Science Laboratory System Accreditation

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks to fund improvements to forensic science and medical examiner/coroner (ME/C) services through the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Coverdell Program). Under the Formula Coverdell Program, State Administering Agencies (SAAs) may apply for funds to improve forensic science and ME/C services provided by laboratories operated by the state or units of local government. The Coverdell law requires state applicants to certify that any forensic science laboratory system receiving Coverdell Program funds is either accredited or, if not accredited, will designate a portion of the funds to prepare and apply for accreditation within 2 years of receiving the Coverdell Program funds. Applications requesting funds solely for ME/C offices within the state are not required to submit this certification.

February 2026

Forensics TTA

Certification Form Quick Tips: Use of Funds for New Facilities

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks to fund improvements to forensic science and medical examiner/coroner (ME/C) services through the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Coverdell Program). Under the Formula Coverdell Program, State Administering Agencies (SAAs) may apply for funds to improve forensic science and ME/C services provided by laboratories operated by the state or units of local government. The Coverdell law requires that each applicant certify that the amount of the grant used for the cost of any new facility constructed as part of a program to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science or ME/C services will not exceed certain limitations set forth in the Coverdell law. All applicants are required to submit this certification, even if no funds are proposed to be used for new facilities.

February 2026

Forensics TTA

Certification Form Quick Tips: External Investigations

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks to fund improvements to forensic science and medical examiner/coroner (ME/C) services through the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Coverdell Program). Under the Formula Coverdell Program, State Administering Agencies (SAAs) may apply for funds to improve forensic science and ME/C services provided by laboratories operated by the state or units of local government. The Coverdell law requires each applicant to certify the existence of a government entity that has an appropriate process in place to conduct independent external investigations into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct committed by individuals that substantially affects the integrity of the forensic results provided. Such individuals include employees or contractors of any forensic laboratory system, ME/C office, law enforcement storage facility, or medical facility in the state that will receive a portion of the award amount.

February 2026

Forensics TTA

Coverdell Program Certification Form Quick Tips

The Forensics TTA team has developed the following resources to support individuals in preparing certification forms required for inclusion in Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Coverdell Program) applications. These ‘quick tips’ documents are intended to provide an overview of elements required for each certification, including key considerations for both understanding certification criteria and submitting the accompanying certification form. For each certification requirement, interested applicants are encouraged to refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for additional details and the link to the relevant certification template. Additional questions regarding certification and authorization requirements should be directed to your assigned Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Policy and Programs Office representatives.

February 2026

Forensics TTA

DNA Basics: Understanding the Science and Tools Behind DNA Kinship Analysis

This presentation features Michelle Halsing, Assistant Laboratory Director of the Missing Persons DNA Program at the California Department of Justice. It is tailored for non-laboratory criminal justice professionals—including investigators, prosecutors, victim advocates, and program administrators—seeking to strengthen their foundational understanding of forensic DNA testing, with a particular focus on kinship analysis. The presentation offers an overview of the forensic DNA testing process, explains how DNA profiles are searched and compared within the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), and outlines the capabilities and limitations of these tools in both investigative and judicial settings. Viewers are also introduced to the fundamental principles of forensic DNA kinship analysis, supported by discussions of real-world case applications, common testing strategies, and key considerations for interpreting laboratory reports. This resource highlights the critical role of kinship analysis in supporting missing persons investigations, unidentified human remains cases, and other complex forensic scenarios.

February 2026

Forensics TTA

2026 Forensics TTA Calendar of National and Regional Events

The Forensics TTA calendar of events provides a centralized view of national and large-scale regional conferences, trainings, and other events of interest to BJA Forensics Program grantees. This calendar is a downloadable resource designed to assist grantees with effective planning of event attendance when supported by BJA Forensics Program funding. Event entries are color coded by event type – conferences, trainings, and other (e.g., meetings, convenings). Clicking on a color-coded event entry produces a pop-up box which provides information including its name, date(s), and location along with a direct link to the event’s main page for additional details such as the agenda and registration, travel, and lodging information. Questions about applying or utilizing BJA funding to attend any events presented on this calendar should be directed to your assigned BJA Policy and Programs Office representatives. Explore the calendar today and contact the Forensics TTA team via Forensicstta@rti.org with any questions or suggestions for ensuring this resource best fits your needs! 

February 2026

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Castanet

Remains found in Florida identified as woman last seen in Saskatchewan

In January 1985, skeletal remains of an unidentified woman were found in a densely wooded area in Malabar, Florida. Despite extensive early investigative efforts, investigators were unable to identify her, and she became known as “Malabar Jane Doe”. In 2024, leveraging Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program funding, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), working with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the District 18 Medical Examiner, outsourced forensic evidence to a vendor laboratory for advanced DNA testing. These testing efforts enabled FDLE’s Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) team to conduct a genealogical search, generating new investigative leads into the woman’s possible identity. This investigation ultimately identified the remains as Jeanette Marcotte, a woman originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, who was last seen in Saskatchewan in 1981 or 1982.

January 2026

Get the Coast

Skeletal remains found in Miramar Beach identified as Niceville 19-year-old missing since 2015

Skeletal remains discovered in Miramar Beach, Florida in October 2022 have been positively identified as Jacob Lyon, a 19-year-old from Niceville, Florida who went missing in late 2015. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office and Niceville Police Department announced the identification after DNA analysis performed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) matched the remains to family reference samples obtained from Lyon’s family nearly a decade earlier. Lyon was last seen in late 2015 and officially reported missing by his mother on February 1, 2016, the same day he was entered into state and national missing person databases. DNA confirmation from FDLE came on January 21, 2026, bringing long-awaited news to the family. Investigators emphasized that while the identification provides partial closure, the case is now an active death investigation. Evidence found near the remains will undergo further analysis as part of continued investigative efforts.

January 2026

Author: Yujiemi Chisholm