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Forensic sciences office warns FY26 cuts and loss of federal grant will slow testing and lengthen jail time
Summary
The Institute of Forensic Sciences (IFS) told commissioners Sept. 2 that a proposed FY26 reduction of roughly $1.7 million — including a smaller CLS award than requested — together with the sudden disappearance of a $1.2 million federal grant, will put lab and medical‑examiner operations at risk, slow testing turnaround, and raise
The Institute of Forensic Sciences (IFS) told commissioners on Sept. 2 that FY26 budget proposals and a discontinued federal grant create a shortfall that will slow crime‑lab and medical‑examiner work and risk creating backlogs that keep people in custody longer and delay case processing.
Julie Preine, IFS chief of staff, and Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Pramod Gumpani described the office’s workload and the financial gap. IFS said it certified more than 6,400 deaths in 2024 and the crime laboratory received evidence for almost 23,000 cases last year from local law enforcement and the medical examiner. IFS said it…
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