PROBLEM STATEMENT

 

The Lawrence Police Department provides community policing and law enforcement services to the citizens of the fifth largest metropolitan area in the State of Kansas. The City of Lawrence encompasses 31.4 square miles with a population of 89,176 according to the City Of Lawrence Planning office, which bases its numbers on Building Permits received in 2005.   The Kansas Secretary of State, Division of the Budget, as of July 2001 placed the population of Lawrence at 79,979 (without students) with a total Douglas County population of 100,005. Lawrence is also home to the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University. The University Of Kansas estimates its enrolment at 27,000 students and Haskell Indian Nations University estimates its enrolment at approximately 900 students.

 

Lawrence is located about 20 miles east of Topeka, Kansas, our state’s Capital City and about 20 miles west of Kansas City, Kansas/Missouri, a large metropolitan city.  Lawrence is also home to The University of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University, and numerous schools and several regional shopping centers. Our proximity to the Capital, the commuter transportation and Kansas City Metro area has made this area a “bedroom” community. Tens of thousands of people travel into and out of our county each day; including those involved in illegal activities.  In 2005, the Lawrence Police Department investigated approximately 14,482 KIBRS classified crimes. 

 

Current Forensic Capabilities

 

The Lawrence Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department currently have basic to intermediate capabilities in the following forensic disciplines:

 

1. Crime Scene Investigation;

2. Computer Forensic Examinations;

3. Video Forensic Examinations;

4. Serial Number Restoration;

5. Latent Print Examination;

6. Blood Stain Pattern Analysis;

7.  Shooting Scene Reconstruction;

8.  Cell Phone Examinations;

9.   Forensic Photography;

10. DNA Collection Methods

11. Footwear, Tool Mark, Shoe and Tire Impression Collection and Examination

 

 

 

Proposed Grant Related Activities To Be Implemented

 

2007 grant request seeks to use the requested 2007 funds to enhance forensic capabilities of Lawrence Kansas Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department through the purchase of additional equipment and intermediate to advance level training in the above listed disciplines. The funds would also be used to facilitate personnel currently conducting these types of exams gaining nationally recognized certifications.

 

 

Proposed Training to be Paid for with Grant Funds

 

The proposed training would involve personnel from the Lawrence Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s department who are tasked with conducting forensic examinations and/or collection of forensic evidence. This training may include but is not limited to the following courses:

 

  1. Law Enforcement Video Association Forensic Examiner Certification;
  2. Intermediate/Advanced Digital Imaging Training;
  3. Intermediate/Advanced Crime Scene Investigation and Examination Training;
  4. Intermediate/Advanced Forensic Digital Evidence Examination Training.
  5. Analytical and/or other specialized training such as training focused on analyzing, interpreting, and presenting results from forensic processes.
  6. Specialized training for investigators that focus on optimizing forensic processes and results as part of investigations.
  7. Training that specific to court room testimony.
  8. Training focuses on coordination/management of forensic personnel and resources.

Proposed Equipment

 

The grant funds would be used to purchase equipment to enhance the Lawrence Police Department and Douglas County Sheriff’s Department’s capabilities in the previous mentioned disciplines. The equipment may include but is not limited to the following:

 

  1. Fingerprint Hood for long guns;
  2. Evidence Drying Chamber;
  3. Forensic Analysis Computer;
  4. Upgrade of Forensic Video Analysis Systems;
  5. Photography Equipment: (digital cameras/software/hardware/consumables).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goals Associated With Enhanced Forensic Capabilities

 

 

The goal of this program would be to increase the capabilities and efficiency while decreasing the turn around time for forensic examinations for the Lawrence, Kansas Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

 

The Lawrence Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department are committed to making Lawrence and Douglas County a safe and attractive place to live. Both agencies invest a large amount of resources in combating the many type of illegal activities that occur. However, increasingly skeptical juries are looking for evidence free from the possibility of bias before finding guilt.  Jurors often give an enormous amount of weight to forensic evidence which they see as a “silent witness” capable of presenting an accurate and unbiased representation of the facts of a crime.  Police agencies must learn how to retrieve this evidence, protect its authenticity and accuracy, and learn to document and present the evidence in a clear and concise manner in order to give juries and courts the information they are demanding to protect the public.  This requires technical training and the correct set of tools, which is often expensive and time consuming.

 

The continued challenge of funding forensic training and equipment necessary to conduct forensic exams must be met. The Lawrence Police Department and Douglas County Sheriff’s Department are requesting the funds allotted for Douglas County in the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program