Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants (Coverdell) Program
ABOUT COVERDELL
The Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants (Coverdell) Program awards grants to states and units of local government to help improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services, including services provided by laboratories operated by states and units of local government. Offering both a Competitive Program and a Formula-based Program, recipients of Coverdell funds must use the grant for one or more of these six 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/coroner 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.
- To address emerging forensic science issues (such as statistics, contextual bias, and uncertainty of measurement) and emerging forensic science technology (such as high throughput automation, statistical software, and new types of instrumentation).
- To educate and train forensic pathologists.
- To fund medicolegal death investigation systems to facilitate the accreditation of medical examiner and coroner offices and the certification of medicolegal death investigators.
To learn more about the Coverdell Program and potential funding opportunities,
please visit Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants (Coverdell) Program.
The Coverdell Program assists forensic science laboratories and medical examiner/coroner’s offices to improve their services that are often crucial to the outcome of criminal cases. This program provides flexibility in funding a wide-ranging set of activities performed by approximately 400 publicly funded forensic laboratories in the United States and its territories.
The Coverdell Program supports forensic scientists to receive needed training to comply with certification requirements, as well as for forensic science service provider facilities to obtain and retain accreditation. It provides support to smaller jurisdictions to acquire current technology that they otherwise could not afford and to larger jurisdictions to meet continually growing demands. It supports laboratories in modernizing and maintaining needed analytical equipment and instrumentation. Moreover, the Coverdell Program provides laboratories and medical examiners/coroners with resources to battle the escalating opioid and synthetic drug epidemic.
Key Performance Metrics
From FY2011-FY2021 Coverdell Program funds were used to:
- Analyze more than 1.7 million backlogged cases resulting in more than 350 agencies decreasing their backlogged cases
- Support more than 18,000 forensic personnel, more than 2,000 medical examiners/coroners, and more than 30 pathologists (FY2021 only) to attend training
- Help more than 390 agencies improve their timeliness in case analysis
- Enable more than 20 agencies obtain initial accreditation between FY2017-FY2021
- Assist more than 20 forensic personnel complete certification in FY2021
- Identify the presence of controlled substances in more than 80% of seized drug cases tested in FY2021
GRANTEES
This map is representative of all Coverdell Program awards made since 2020.
If you are interested in viewing more award data, please visit the OJP Award Data webpage.
LIST OF GRANTEES
| GRANTEE NAME | STATE | FISCAL YEAR(S) |
|---|---|---|
| ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | AK | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS | AL | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| CITY OF TUSCALOOSA | AL | 2021 |
| CRIME LABORATORY ARKANSAS | AR | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| CITY OF GLENDALE | AZ | 2023 |
| CITY OF PHOENIX | AZ | 2020 |
| CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION ARIZONA | AZ | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| CITY OF LOS ANGELES | CA | 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| COUNTY OF ALAMEDA | CA | 2022 |
| COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES | CA | 2021 |
| COUNTY OF VENTURA | CA | 2020 & 2023 |
| OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES | CA | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| CITY OF AURORA | CO | 2020 & 2021 |
| COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | CO | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| COLORADO SPRINGS CITY GOVERNMENT | CO | 2020 |
| COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE IN THE STATE OF COLORADO | CO | 2023 |
| DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION | CT | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| DC OFFICE OF VICTIM SERVICES | DC | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF DELAWARE | DE | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| CITY OF CAPE CORAL | FL | 2022 |
| CITY OF ORLANDO | FL | 2023 |
| COUNTY OF BROWARD | FL | 2020 |
| COUNTY OF PINELLAS | FL | 2021 & 2023 |
| COUNTY OF SARASOTA | FL | 2021 |
| FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT | FL | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| SEMINOLE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE | FL | 2022 |
| CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL | GA | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| GOVERNMENT OF GUAM – DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION | GU | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL | HI | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | IA | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| IDAHO STATE POLICE | ID | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| COUNTY OF COOK | IL | 2020 |
| ILLINOIS CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION AUTHORITY | IL | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| JUDICIARY COURTS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA | IN | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| COUNTY OF JOHNSON | KS | 2020 |
| COUNTY OF SEDGWICK | KS | 2022 |
| EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE STATE OF KANSAS | KS | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY CABINET | KY | 2020, 2021, & 2022 |
| KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE | KY | 2023 |
| LOUISIANA COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE | LA | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| ST LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT | LA | 2023 |
| CITY OF WORCESTER | MA | 2020 |
| MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE | MA | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND | MD | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND | MD | 2023 |
| MAINE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | ME | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS | MI | 2023 |
| DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE MICHIGAN | MI | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | MN | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY MISSOURI | MO | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| ST LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI | MO | 2020 |
| MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | MS | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| MONTANA BOARD OF CRIME CONTROL | MT | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| CITY OF CHARLOTTE | NC | 2021 |
| CITY OF DURHAM | NC | 2021 |
| COUNTY OF GUILFORD | NC | 2020 |
| NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | NC | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| WAKE COUNTY | NC | 2020 |
| NORTH DAKOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL | ND | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| DOUGLAS COUNTY NEBRASKA | NE | 2020 |
| STATE PATROL NEBRASKA | NE | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL | NH | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX | NJ | 2021 |
| COUNTY OF UNION | NJ | 2023 |
| NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LAW & PUBLIC SAFETY | NJ | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | NM | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| CITY OF HENDERSON | NV | 2021 |
| CLARK COUNTY CORONER | NV | 2022 |
| LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT | NV | 2020, 2021, & 2023 |
| NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | NV | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| COUNTY OF NIAGARA | NY | 2022 & 2023 |
| NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES | NY | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA | OH | 2020 & 2021 |
| COUNTY OF HAMILTON | OH | 2020, 2021, & 2022 |
| COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY | OH | 2020 |
| OHIO OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES | OH | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| OKLAHOMA DISTRICT ATTORNEYS COUNCIL | OK | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| COUNTY OF WASHINGTON | OR | 2022 |
| OREGON DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE | OR | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| CITY OF PHILADELPHIA | PA | 2020 |
| COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY | PA | 2020 & 2021 |
| PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON CRIME & DELINQUENCY | PA | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS FORENSES | PR | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | RI | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| COUNTY OF CHARLESTON | SC | 2022 |
| SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | SC | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE OF SOUTH DAKOTA | SD | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| COUNTY OF RUTHERFORD | TN | 2020 |
| METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE & DAVIDSON COUNTY | TN | 2021 |
| TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION | TN | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| CITY OF AUSTIN | TX | 2023 |
| DALLAS COUNTY TEXAS | TX | 2021 |
| HOUSTON FORENSIC SCIENCE CENTER INC | TX | 2023 |
| TEXAS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR | TX | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY STATE UTAH | UT | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES | VA | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS | VI | 2020 & 2021 |
| VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | VT | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| COUNTY OF KITTITAS | WA | 2021 |
| COUNTY OF SKAGIT | WA | 2020 |
| WASHINGTON STATE PATROL | WA | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WISCONSIN | WI | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| DIVISION OF JUSTICE & COMMUNITY SERVICES | WV | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| ATTORNEY GENERAL OF WYOMING | WY | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| LARAMIE COUNTY GOVERNMENT | WY | 2021 |
RESOURCES
Publications
🔍
Sometimes forensic labs can find ample DNA in the evidence collected at a crime scene. Other times, investigators are not as fortunate. Evidence samples with low amounts of DNA may not yield a profile that investigators can use to match or exclude potential suspects. Researchers have a potential solution: direct...
This report provides data on the workloads, staffing, resources, policies, procedures, and budgets of the 326 standalone forensic laboratories and multi-laboratory systems in 2020...
This document specifies the core competencies and other standards of quality and education for accredited forensic pathology graduate medical education programs...
Load More
Multi-Media
🔍
This presentation discusses case management in forensic science laboratories which can enhance efficiency and reduce backlogs...
In episode one of our Applications of Forensic Science for Human Identification season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Heather McKiernan, a Research Forensic Scientist at RTI International, and Ashley Rodriguez, a Research Public Health Analyst at RTI International, to discuss the use of forensic genetic genealogy in identifying human...
This presentation provides information about the main life cycle of award management and award administration basics...
Load More
Protocols
🔍
The purpose of this interim policy is to promote the reasoned exercise of investigative, scientific, and prosecutorial discretion in cases that involve forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis and searching (FGGS)...
Load More
Research
🔍
Research coming soon.
Load More
Additional Information
HIGHLIGHTS AND EVENTS
Congratulations and welcome to all BJA Forensics Programs FY23 grantees!...
In 2023, the DCS5 Fingerprint Enhancement System, which was funded by the City of Charlotte’s Coverdell award, was used to document processed evidence in a case involving financial crimes and fraud. The case involved 1.9 million USD in checks that were stolen and fraudulently deposited. A single fingerprint impression developed...
The Idaho State Police Forensic Services is using Coverdell funding to ramp up a statewide Question Documents Program. This Program will also service laboratories throughout the country to help address the decreasing availability of Question Documents examination. The Idaho State Police Forensic Service also employed a Coverdell–funded employee to conduct...
Load More
Upcoming Events
No upcoming events.
Load More
Past Events
On behalf of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Forensics Training and Technical Assistance (Forensics TTA) Team, led by RTI International, is hosting the 2nd Annual BJA Forensics Programs Grantees Meeting, on June 10-11, 2024!...
On behalf of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Forensics Training and Technical Assistance (Forensics TTA) Team, led by RTI International, is hosting the 1st Annual BJA Forensics Programs Grantees Meeting, scheduled for October 2-3, 2023!...
Load More
Get timely
FORENSICS TTA PROGRAM updates
The Forensics TTA Team wants to hear from you!
If BJA Forensics Programs funding has played a role in your organization’s success, no matter how small or how large, we would love to hear about it! Please share your achievements with the Forensics TTA Team by clicking the ‘Submit Highlight’ button.