Rahall Announces Funding for State Police Forensic Laboratory Enhancements

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) Tuesday announced nearly $342,000 in Federal funding for the West Virginia State Police to strengthen its forensic laboratory by updating and purchasing new technology equipment, hiring evidence technicians, and continuing the education and training of forensic analysts.

"This funding will help State Police to process and analyze DNA evidence more quickly, expediting the turnaround time for criminal investigations. It is important to ensure our State's criminal laboratory has the personnel and equipment necessary so that our law enforcement officials can be successful in identifying criminals and keeping them off the streets," said Rahall.

This $342,000 was awarded through the DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program at the U.S. Department of Justice. This is one of three Federal grant programs that aim to enhance and assist forensic laboratory work in the criminal justice system.

This new funding is in addition to $63,000 Rahall recently announced for the training of the State's forensic laboratory personnel.

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