MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey awarded a $262,770 grant to help the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences (ADFS) purchase equipment to assist in opioid and other synthetic drug cases.
The funding was awarded through the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program, which helps states and units of local government improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services.
“Our law enforcement agencies depend on the timely analysis of evidence in cases involving opioid misuse,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am pleased to award this grant to assist the Department of Forensic Sciences in its efforts to prepare results for so many law enforcement agencies in our state.”
Additions will include morgue equipment and a Random Access Biochip Technology Analyzer (RABTA) toxicology drug-screening instrument, a device built for laboratories that can perform rapid, simultaneous multiple drug screenings from a single patient sample. This will expedite and improve the accuracy of toxicology results, according to ADFS officials.
ADFS is the sole provider of forensic testing services to more than 450 law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Department officials said they have experienced a steady increase in opioid-related death investigations and toxicology submissions at its medical examiner facilities.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“ADECA stands with Gov. Ivey in her efforts to provide much-needed support to statewide law enforcement agencies like the Department of Forensic Sciences,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.
ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.
