WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to help law enforcement solve more crimes and reduce a backlog of firearm-related cases, U.S. Senator Jack Reed announced that Rhode Island has been awarded a $296,966 federal grant to help the crime lab conduct crucial forensic science that will address the backlog. 

The state’s Crime Laboratory examines evidence and provides expert scientific opinion in legal and criminal cases for police departments, the Medical Examiner, the Attorney General, and other law enforcement and regulatory agencies.  According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, the laboratory’s backlog in firearm-related cases grew from zero cases in April 2020 to more than 280 cases in May 2021. 

“I’m committed to reducing crime and ensuring public safety.  When the state’s crime lab has a backlog, it slows down the entire criminal justice system.  This federal funding will help law enforcement break that log jam by ensuring effective and timely analysis of firearm-related cases.  This helps solve crimes and bring offenders to justice,” said Reed, who is a member of the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees spending on U.S. Department of Justice programs. “These federal dollars will enable firearms examiners at the State Crime Lab to do their critical work and help law enforcement solve cases and crack down on gun violence.”

The federal funds for Rhode Island are part of $17.5 million awarded nationally to 88 projects nationwide by the U.S. Department of Justice, and will be used to support efforts to address violent crime, including gun violence.