Gov. Ivey awards grant to upgrade state forensic equipment.

Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday awarded a $262,770 grant to help the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences 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 local governments improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner and coroner services.

"Our law enforcement agencies depend on the timely analysis of evidence in cases involving opioid misuse," 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."

The department will use the funding to purchase morgue equipment and a Random Access Biochip Technology Analyzer, a toxicology drug-screening instrument that can rapidly screen a single sample for multiple drugs simultaneously. The equipment will expedite toxicology testing and improve the accuracy of results, according to department officials.

The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences 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 their medical examiner facilities.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant with funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.