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Page 1 of 3 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Between the Arizona Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory and Maricopa County, by and through the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office I. Purpose This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes a cooperative agreement between the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Crime Laboratory and Maricopa County, by and through the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) for the provision of verification and technical review assistance related to firearm casework comparisons that result in positive associations or exclusions based on individual characteristics. This agreement specifically excludes serial number restoration evidence. II. Scope of Services 1. Verification Services An AZDPS Firearm Examiner will perform independent verifications of MCSO firearm comparison casework that results in positive associations or exclusions. o Verifications will be performed on-site at the MCSO facility. o Visits will occur on a regular monthly basis, as the current volume (~24 cases annually) indicates that one visit per month is sufficient. o All conclusions will be based on the policies and procedures set forth in MCSO’s Scientific Analysis Division Operations Manual (Effective December 6, 2017, Revised January 23, 2024), which have been previously reviewed by AZDPS. o Only comparisons based on individual characteristics are covered by this agreement. 2. Technical Review o If AZDPS performs both the verification and technical review, the AZDPS Examiner must verify, via documentation, that the current MCSO Firearm & Toolmark (FATM) Examiner has been: Appropriately trained Competency tested Authorized and competence monitored (e.g., proficiency tested) In compliance with current applicable accreditation standards, particularly if MCSO is not accredited in FATM. Page 2 of 3 o In such cases, AZDPS will document the technical review using the “Technical Review of Outside Agency Casework” form. The AZDPS Examiner will only rely on the MCSO’s FATM policies and procedures when conducting technical reviews. o If AZDPS performs verification only, MCSO will be responsible for conducting the technical review. III. Responsibilities AZDPS Crime Laboratory Shall: Provide a qualified Firearm Examiner to perform monthly on-site verifications. Conduct technical reviews when requested, contingent on verification of the MCSO examiner's training and qualifications. Maintain documentation of any technical reviews performed using the appropriate form provided by the Quality Assurance Unit. MCSO Shall: Coordinate monthly on-site verification visits with AZDPS, including security clearance and on-site escorting. Provide all necessary casework documentation and evidence for verification but withhold all conclusions. Remain responsible for technical reviews if AZDPS does not perform them. Support efforts to validate examiner credentials as needed for AZDPS to complete technical reviews. IV. Duration This MOU will remain in effect for eighteen (18) months from the date of the last signature or until MCSO hires and fully trains a new FATM examiner, whichever occurs first. V. Termination Either party may terminate this MOU upon 30 days’ written notice to the other party. VI. General Provisions Page 3 of 3 This MOU does not create any legally binding obligation, nor does it create a financial obligation or contract between the parties. Any amendments to this MOU must be in writing and agreed upon by both parties. VII. Agreement The AZDPS and MCSO hereby agree to abide by the terms and conditions of this MOU, including all policies and procedures set forth by both entities. The terms and conditions of this MOU will be considered accepted in their entirety upon signature. ________________ Date ________________ Date _____________________________________ Colonel Jeffrey Glover – Director Arizona Department of Public Safety 2102 W. Encanto Boulevard Phoenix, AZ 85009 ____________________________________ Sheriff Jerry Sheridan Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office 550 W. Jackson Phoenix, AZ 85003 Maricopa County Board of Supervisors ________________________________________ Kate Brophy McGee, Date Chair of the Board ATTEST: ________________________________________ Juanita Garza, Date Clerk of the Board IN ACCORDANCE WITH A.R.S. §11-952 THIS CONTRACT HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY THE UNDERSIGNED WHO HAS DETERMINED THAT THIS CONTRACT IS IN APPROPRIATE FORM AND WITHIN THE POWERS AND AUTHORITY GRANTED TO EACH RESPECTIVE PUBLIC BODY. ________________________________________ Deputy County Attorney Date