Paul Coverdell National Forensic Sciences Improvement Program (CFSI)
Overview
Description
The Paul Coverdell National Forensic Sciences Improvement Act provides federal funding to crime laboratories and medical examiner's offices to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner services. In addition, these funds are intended to eliminate backlogs in the analysis of forensic evidence, the purchase of equipment, trainings to keep forensic staff abreast to new techniques, accreditation and supplies for the crime laboratories.
History
The Paul Coverdell National Forensic Science Improvement Act became Public Law 106-561 on December 21, 2000. This Act authorized grants to states to improve the quality, timeliness, and credibility of forensic science services for criminal justice purposes. In addition, the Justice for All Act of 2004, Pub. L. No. 108-405, section 311(b) (codified at 42 U.S.C. § 3797k) placed a new eligibility requirement on Coverdell applicants and added a general forensic backlog reduction component to the Coverdell program.