NCJ Number
218692
Date Published
July 2004
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This paper presents a survey conducted on budget issues facing State-level public forensic laboratories.
Abstract
Survey comments conveyed that additional funding is necessary to maintain and improve facilities and equipment and to provide competitive employee compensation. Comments also indicated that often the supervisor has limited authority regarding budget issues and that decisions regarding budget requests are based on what is likely to receive approval from higher echelons, not necessarily what the laboratory manager believes to be the best for the forensic laboratory. Sources for additional funding are usually limited by the public-service nature of agencies. Possible avenues to explore include testing equipment in exchange for use of and discounts on the purchase of the equipment or to offer for-fee services. Administering forensic laboratories, including budgeting, is a crucial aspect of public services. A budget crisis exists in many forensic services programs. Attracting and retaining competent employees are among the problems facing forensic agencies. This paper presents the results of a survey of supervisors with budget responsibilities at State forensic laboratories and a small sampling of other laboratories examining some budget issues. Tables, references