SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Forensic Services (DFS) is assisting the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten forensic scientists and one DNA research coordinator, have volunteered to lend their expertise to assist the IDPH at the Chicago, Springfield and Carbondale laboratories. DFS is also evaluating the potential for 14 additional forensics scientists who volunteered their assistance.
DFS personnel completed required training by IDPH before they began assisting with COVID-19 testing. Their duties include preparing samples and conducting testing, as well as assisting with the related paperwork. One volunteer is specifically tasked with assisting the IDPH research and development team with testing enhancement and reducing turn-around times.
IDPH Director Dr Ngozi Ezike said, “One of the keys to ending this pandemic sooner is testing, which will tell us how much virus is circulating and where. This pandemic requires all hands on-deck and I want to thank the Illinois State Police laboratorians for helping in our response.”
“Our forensic scientists are unsung heroes who are often the critical difference in the pursuit of justice,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Even in the midst of a global pandemic, these volunteer scientists are bravely stepping up and serving in ways they could not have imagined to protect public safety. Everyone in Illinois should be proud of them,” he concluded.
In addition to assisting with Covid-19 testing, ISP forensic labs are open and have staffed each forensic discipline with social distancing, there is constant communication with stakeholders, assignments are triaged based on public safety priorities of prosecutors and the courts, and all requests from prosecutors during Covid-19 protocols are completed. Since COVID-19 protocols were put in place March 17, DFS has completed 3946 forensic assignments.
Many of the DFS volunteers have been assisting IDPH since March 23, 2020. They will continue to offer their services and assistance in order to combat this pandemic as long as necessary.