(MISSION, KAN.) – Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District -- Kansas) hosted a news conference on Wednesday to announce $50,000 in federal funding he secured for the Johnson County Crime Lab. Following the news conference, the Congressman toured the facility and heard about possible future enhancements to solve a growing backlog of crimes in Johnson County.

“As a former Johnson County District Attorney for 12 years, I understand law enforcement is only as good as its people and their ability to gather and analyze information,” Moore said. “By providing this federal funding to update equipment, we improve their ability to gather evidence. This ultimately will enhance the judicial process and result in convictions of more criminals.”

Funding will be used to purchase instrumentation for a Trace Evidence Section at the crime lab, which will fill a critical forensic need and increase the solvency of burglary and violent crimes in Johnson County.

“New sophisticated technologies are being developed to advance forensic science, specifically in the identification of trace evidence such as paint, fibers, and explosives,” said Crime Lab Director Gary Howell. “Due to these dramatic advances, crime laboratories have taken on a more visible role in the fight against crime.”

“The advances in forensic science have been so significant and so important not only for the criminal justice system, but also for justice for victims,” said Palle Rilinger of the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault. “Advances in DNA and other forensic technology have helped solve crimes, stop continued victimization of innocent people, and removed much of the burden of proof from victims.”

The funding was included in the Conference Report on H.R. 2862, the Science, State, Justice & Commerce Appropriations Act for FY 2006. The bill became law on November 22, 2005.