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Crime Laboratory Division· Overview
The Crime Laboratory Division is one of two major divisions under the Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau (FLSB) of the Washington State Patrol. The division operates five multi-service crime laboratories in Seattle, Tacoma, Marysville, Spokane, Vancouver and two limited-service crime laboratories in Kennewick, and Tumwater.
All of our laboratories are accredited through the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) and provide quality forensic services for criminal justice agencies within the state of Washington (RCW 43.43.670).
Crime Laboratory Services & Support
The laboratories play a vital role in the criminal justice process. Scientific testimony is often the deciding factor in the judicial resolution of civil and criminal cases. The results of scientific analysis of evidence - blood, semen, shreds of clothing, hair, fibers, glass, paint, soil, bullets or bullet casings, impressions, and other physical indications - left at the scene of a crime can seem more compelling to a jury than the testimony of eyewitnesses.
The timely scientific analysis of any physical evidence relating
to crimes against the citizens of the state is an integral part of
our services. In accordance with legislative mandate, the Crime Laboratory
Division also performs DNA typing for both adults and juveniles who
are convicted of a felony, are required to register as a sex or kidnapping
offender, or have been convicted of certain misdemeanors. (For a
complete list of the qualifying offenses please see RCW
43.43.754.) To support demands, forensic laboratory services are grouped into specialties,
which include the analysis of different types of evidence.
Biochemistry
Body fluids - blood, saliva, semen, vaginal samples, and stains - are examined and analyzed. Their identification and characterization can implicate or eliminate a suspect. The information derived from the examinations assists investigators as they reconstruct the events that occur during crimes, especially crimes against persons. DNA testing of whole blood and dried serological stains has been added to the traditional serological analytical protocols (rules) in this functional area.
CODIS Laboratory
The
WSP CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) Laboratory generates DNA profiles
from convicted offenders for the state and national databases. In
accordance with legislative mandate (RCW
43.43.752 - 43.43.759),
the CODIS Laboratory receives and types DNA samples from individuals
who have been convicted of a felony, are required to register as
a sex or kidnapping offender, or have been convicted of certain misdemeanors.
(For a complete list of the qualifying offenses please see RCW
43.43.754.)
These samples are collected by law enforcement agencies and correctional
facilities across the state using DNA collection kits provided
by the WSP CODIS Laboratory. Training resources for our collecting
agencies are listed below:
For previous newsletters contact: confel@wsp.wa.gov
In addition to the convicted offenders, there are four other database indexes:
- Forensic - DNA profiles generated from crime scene evidence
- Missing Persons
- Relatives of Missing Persons
- Unidentified Humans
DNA casework analysts type samples for these indexes. Profiles generated from evidence samples are entered into the state database and searched against samples in other indexes as appropriate.
Eligible offender and casework profiles are subsequently uploaded to the National CODIS databank which links information from all fifty states. Investigative leads may be generated at the state or national level as follows:
- Matching profiles in the Forensic Index (case-to-case)
- Matching profiles in the Forensic Index and the Offender Index (an offender hit)
- Matching profiles in a missing persons type case.
Firearms/Toolmarks
 Experts examine firearms for operating features and defects. Bullets and shell casings may reveal unique characteristics, leaving telltale marks that help identify the firearms from which they were fired. Gunshot residue and patterns are examined to determine the proximity of a firearm muzzle to a victim. Tools often leave unique, identifiable marks on surfaces that may link suspects to crimes. Experts can restore serial numbers that have been altered on articles such as firearms, machinery, and office equipment.
Microanalysis
Trace Evidence - Using microscopic techniques and microanalytical instrumentation, forensic scientists can identify and compare small particles and fibrous materials; for example, fibers, hair, soils, paint, glass, wood chips, building materials, and vehicle head - and taillights.
General Criminalistics - Physical evidence is examined to determine such things as patterns, damage, sequence of deposits, and sequence of events. The physical evidence may include shoe prints, tire tracks, blood spatters, clothing, weapons, and wounds.
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Chemistry
Chemical Analysis - Evidence associated with homicide, rape, robbery, and burglary, and other crimes, along with fire accelerants and explosives related to arson and bombing, are scrutinized by analyzing their chemical composition.  The results of each analysis affords information that may connect the evidence to a suspect, victim, crime scene, and/or the crime itself.
Controlled Substances - Suspected evidence undergoes chemical analysis to determine its drug contents. Any evidence used in a crime involving possession, use, or sale of a controlled substance must be identified as a prohibited drug to establish that a crime was committed.
Questioned Documents
Documents are examined to identify the writer and to detect a forgery or alteration in cases that involve checks, credit card receipts, robbery notes, fraudulent papers, prescriptions, extortion and ransom notes, obscene letters, illicit business records, lottery, and pull-tab tickets.
Latent Fingerprint Identification
Examiners process evidence and crime scenes for fingerprints and obtain post-mortem fingerprints. They locate, photograph, process, and compare latent prints to known candidates and prints in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).
Crime Scene Assistance
Selected forensic scientists and latent fingerprint examiners from the crime laboratory are included in the Patrol's Crime Scene Response Team. The team, made up of crime laboratory personnel and detectives from the Traffic Investigation Division, is available 24 hours a day to assist local law enforcement agencies as they process the scene of a crime. Also, the team can help other agencies recognize, handle, preserve, and package physical evidence. Laboratory personnel also help reconstruct the events that occurred at the scene.
Clandestine Laboratory Assistance
The Crime Laboratory Division affords 24-hour assistance to local law enforcement agencies in processing illegal and extremely hazardous clandestine laboratories. This includes help in dismantling the laboratory, recognizing hazardous fumes and chemicals, and handling, preserving, and packaging evidence.
Criminal Justice Training Services
Upon request, the Crime Laboratory Division provides training for criminal justice agencies within the state of Washington in the following areas:
Mailing address
Crime Laboratory Division - Washington State Patrol
2203 Airport Way S., Suite 250
Seattle, WA 98134-2028
Mail Stop: TB-66
Phone: 206-262-6002
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