crimelabs

Crime laboratories, commonly called crime labs, are facilities where scientific analysis of evidence collected from crime scenes is conducted to support investigations and legal proceedings. They may be operated by government agencies at the federal, state, or local level, or by private organizations. They process physical and digital evidence using a range of disciplines and may provide expert testimony in courts.

Workflows typically begin with evidence intake and documentation, strict chain of custody, and separation of acquisition, analysis, and interpretation to minimize bias. Analyses are reported in written reports and may be used in court.

Disciplines include biology and DNA typing, toxicology, chemistry, trace evidence, firearms and toolmark analysis, fingerprint examination, questioned-document examination, microscopy, biomechanics, and digital forensics.

Standards and accreditation: many labs seek accreditation to standards such as ISO/IEC 17025 and participate in proficiency testing to ensure reliability. In the United States, public crime laboratories range from federal facilities like the FBI Laboratory in Quantico to state and local laboratories, with ongoing reforms to reduce backlogs and improve quality.

History: modern forensic laboratories grew in the 20th century, expanding from basic microscopy to advanced molecular biology and digital forensics. Locard's principle of exchange is foundational.

Challenges: backlogs, resource constraints, contamination risk, and the need for rigorous interpretation to avoid overstatement in testimony. Ethical considerations include maintaining objectivity and avoiding bias.

See also: forensic science, digital forensics, evidence handling.