Missouri Forensic Science Boost, Violent Crime, Missouri 2023

Missouri Forensic Science Boost, Violent Crime, Missouri 2023

A major breakthrough in forensic science has been announced in the Eastern District of Missouri, with the United States Attorney and the Office of Justice Programs awarding substantial grants to fund crime laboratories, decrease DNA backlogs, support basic and applied forensic research, and help law enforcement identify missing persons.

The funding, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the National Institute of Justice, aims to reduce the number of forensic DNA database samples awaiting analysis, prevent additional DNA backlogs, and help solve crimes. This initiative will have a significant impact on the pursuit of justice in violent crime and sexual assault cases within the Eastern District of Missouri.

United States Attorney Jeff Jensen stated, 'These grants further strengthen the ability of our state and local partners to use powerful forensic tools in a timely manner. This increased forensic capacity will further the pursuit of justice in relation to violent crime and sexual assaults within the Eastern District of Missouri.'

Through the BJA DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program, the following funds are being provided to process, record, screen, and analyze DNA evidence and to enhance the ability of crime labs to process evidence:

- St. Charles County: $75,000
- St. Louis County: $174,698
- St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department: $280,057
- Missouri State Highway Patrol: $483,798

Complementing these efforts, BJA's Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program is making the following awards. The awards help states and local governments improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services provided by crime laboratories and medical examiner and coroners' offices. Funding will go toward eliminating backlogs and employing and training laboratory personnel and death investigators:

- Missouri Department of Public Safety: $331,027
- St. Louis County: $244,275

In addition, BJA is making the following substantial award through the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. Funding supports the documentation of unanalyzed sexual assault kits, and the efficient processing, investigation, and prosecution of sexual assault kits, as well as victim advocacy to support effective resolution of sexual assault cases:

- Missouri Attorney General's Office: $2,000,000

Mandatory Facts:

The following entities have received funding for the mentioned initiatives:

- St. Charles County
- St. Louis County
- St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
- Missouri State Highway Patrol
- Missouri Department of Public Safety
- St. Louis County
- Missouri Attorney General's Office

No defendant information was provided in the press release.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/united-states-attorney-and-office-justice-programs-announce-site-based-and-research