THE CRIME LAB

WHAT IS A CRIME LAB?

• Place where evidence is analyzed by applying the scientific method
• Uses forensic science analysis techniques
• Processes evidence for information about a crime
• Accepts evidence from the police or investigators
• Employs lab technicians to analyze evidence and convey results

LAB TECHNICIANS

• Also known as crime laboratory analysts
• Are forensic scientists that work in the crime lab
• Do not go out to crime scenes
• Test the evidence submitted to the crime lab
• What do they test? Find out on the next slides...

FORENSIC BIOLOGY AND dna

• Analyze blood, body fluids, tissue and other biological materials
• Look for DNA matches of evidence to known samples in online databases
• Test incoming evidence for DNA

BALLISTICS AND TOOL MARKS

• This is the study of the mechanics of anything that flies through the air
• Match markings and wounds to weapons
• Match bullets to guns
• Match bullet impacts to weapons and ammunition
• Determine the trajectory of bullets and determine angle of firing

TOXICOLOGY

• Study of how drugs and chemicals effect biological systems
• Work with forensic pathologists to gather evidence
• Use various methods to anaylze samples
• Determine amount of substance in a sample
• Identify toxins and drugs in a sample

LATENT EVIDENCE

• Technicians analyze prints lifted from the crime scene
• Technicians lift prints from evidence using various techniques
• Technicians use IAFIS to look for matches to prints
• Also can analyze palm prints and footprints

DIGITAL EVIDENCE

• Computer analysis
• Video analysis
• Audio analysis

TRACE EVIDENCE

• Examine small particles (trace) that are left at the scene
• Hair and other fibers
• Paint, glass, etc.
• Gunshot residue
• Arson debris

TRAINING

• Crime labs also train law enforcement agents
• Training occurs locally and internationally

CRIME LABS

• Lots of work goes on in a crime lab
• Everyday new techniques are developed
• Everyday new types of evidence are discovered
• It is up to lab technicians to uncover what the evidence has to say