3D topography scanners that let examiners compare toolmarks on screen.
Equipment for any forensic discipline or medical examiner service. Administrative costs are capped at 10%.
Directly or through your state · 4 past awards named it
For NIBIN and crime gun evidence work, not general law enforcement operations.
Apply directly
Any project in one of JAG’s purpose areas, subject to BJA’s prohibited-expenditures list. Local awards are often small.
Directly or through your state · 1 past award named it
A research grant: equipment only when the research needs it. Proposals built mainly around buying equipment aren’t eligible.
Apply directly · 1 past award named it
From each program’s funding notice. Programs for other kinds of work aren’t listed, and “ruled out” only appears where the notice says so. Check the current notice before you apply: the rules can change each year.
Your city or county can get this money straight from BJA if it is on this year's JAG allocations list, so check that first. It can pay for staff, equipment, supplies, training and information systems for criminal justice work, and it doesn't go through your state.
Money to improve forensic science and medical examiner or coroner services. Local government labs apply directly to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, state labs apply through their state administering agency, and applications are scored against each other.
Your state's administering agency applies for formula funds that flow down to your lab through your state's own process. Contact your state forensic science improvement coordinator early, since state deadlines typically come before the federal deadline. This is different from competitive funds, which labs apply for directly to the federal government.
6 awards to 6 recipients in 5 states named it in their own description. The median award was $386K, for the whole project, not just this item.
“The systems virtual comparison microscopy (vcm) software also allows examiners to make comparisons with digital images without needing the physical evidence.”
CRIME LABORATORY ARKANSAS · Coverdell · FY2025 · $243K
“Scans from this instrument can then be uploaded into the remote virtual comparison microscopy (vcm) client software where the examiner will have advance technology available to assist in the analysis of firearms related ca…”
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY · Coverdell · FY2022 · $618K
“The specialized software implements 3d visualization, virtual comparison microscopy (vcm), database search, automated comparison, full x3p support (for data sharing), report generation and the ability to share da…”
COUNTY OF ALAMEDA · Coverdell · FY2022 · $386K
“…berla ive software license renewal to provide 12 months of user licensing, service, maintenance, support, hardware replacement, and software updates; cadre topmatch 3d portable scanner license renewal to provide 12 months of software license, updates, and hardware warranty; six photo scanners for the la…”
COUNTY OF JOHNSON · Coverdell · FY2024 · $121K
| Details | ||
|---|---|---|
| $243K | CRIME LABORATORY ARKANSASBJA FY25 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement- Competitive Grants Program | |
| $618K | NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETYBJA FY 22 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program - Formula | |
| $386K | COUNTY OF ALAMEDABJA FY 22 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program - Competitive |
Money a state received and passed on to a local agency.
| Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| $121K | COUNTY OF JOHNSON | Jun 2024 | |
| $60K | IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYUniversity or research institution | Jan 2024 | |
| $25K | HENDERSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT | Dec 2022 |
Planned uses from each award’s filed description, not a record of what was bought. Open a row to read the full description. Sources: USAspending.gov and DOJ’s own award list, last three fiscal years and this one. Award Explorer →
Ask ForensicGrants knows these programs and your agency profile if you’re signed in. It can check a specific purchase against each notice and find similar awards.
