CRIME LABSCRIME LABS
Chapter 1 Unit #1 Notes Packet
Crime LabCrime Lab——Basic ServicesBasic Services Location where a group of
criminalists and law enforcement agencies freely exchange information with the purpose of solving crime
Laboratory tests are conducted on evidence that is collected from crime scenes
Can be composed of several units (biology, fingerprint, firearms)
Chapter 1
Units That Can Exist In A Crime Lab
DNA Serology (body
fluids) Ballistics (projectiles) Questioned
documents Toxicology Computer
Anthropology Pathology Geology Entomology Fingerprints Hair and Fiber Chemistry Biology Physics
Chapter 1
Who Runs the Crime Labs Crime labs can be either public or private
Public crime labs are usually run by national, state, or local law enforcement agenciesUsually contain labs for several different
disciplines/services
Private crime labs are usually run by a person or a corporationUsually focus on one type of crime
Unit #1 Notes Packet
Chapter 1
Variations In The Crime Lab Why aren’t all crime labs the same?
1. Variations in local laws2. Different capabilities and functions of
the organization to which the lab is attached
3. Budgetary and staffing limitations4. Crime patterns in lab’s area
Unit #1 Notes Packet
Chapter 1 Unit #1 Notes Packet
Major Crime Laboratories FBI http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/lab
Federal Bureau of Investigation Created in 1932 Largest crime lab in the world
DEA Drug Enforcement Agency
ATF Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. Postal Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service