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): CJD #1748018
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 $276,257.85, with no required match, for the FY 2024 Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program.
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Background and Discussion:
The Medical Examiner service continued to see significantly higher numbers of death cases in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels, resulting in a 30% increase in cases requiring toxicology testing over that of 2019. The number of opioid related deaths in 2022 is estimated to be similar to 2021, however there was a significant shift of more of those involving fentanyl and less involving heroin. Our Forensic Toxicology laboratory is responsible for detecting toxic drugs and determining their quantities when detected. While more efficient methods have been developed or adopted by the laboratory for the detection and quantitation of these drugs, the continued higher caseload has prevented post-mortem toxicology testing from being completed within our 45 day goal. Quick turnaround times in toxicology are required so medical examiners can complete autopsy reports within the 60-day timeframe required by accreditation.
Case submissions to the Drug Chemistry laboratory decreased 12% in 2022 compared to 2021 but are still ~15% higher than that of 2020. Additionally, the laboratory continues to see a large increase in the total number of item...
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