Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Department Head/Elected Official: Luis A. Sanchez, M.D., Executive Director & Chief Medical Examiner
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant
Project ID (if applicable): 4998601
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Institute of Forensic Sciences for approval to submit an application to the Office of the Governor/Criminal Justice Division for grant funds in the amount of $495,390.79, with no required match, for the FY 2025 Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program.
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Background and Discussion:
This program seeks to address both opioid and non-opioid work in a concerted approach that provides for overall backlog reduction and maintenance of goal turnaround times. HCIFS receives substantial support from Harris County with sufficient funding for normal operations; however, on occasion we need additional funding for unexpectedly high caseloads or for upgrading or replacing lab equipment. This program has been indispensable in obtaining funds for these purposes. We seek funds for overtime compensation and associated fringe benefits for analysts performing opioid-related analyses in Drug Chemistry and Toxicology. Also, we are requesting budget for the outsourcing of infrequent and time-consuming analyses on non-opioid medical examiner toxicology cases for novel drugs than cannot be tested in-house and for lab equipment and supplies.
Expected Impact:
Our program aims to provide assistance in four keys areas: (1) Purchase of scientific instrumentation to maintain and improve methods in Drug Chemistry, Toxicology and Trace Evidence; (2) outsourcing of specialty Toxicology cases; (3) overtime compensation for Forensic Analysts in Drug Chem...
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