1. CRIME LABS

2. Chapter 1 Unit #1 Notes Packet Crime Lab—Basic 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)

3. 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

4. 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 agencies  Usually contain labs for several different disciplines/services  Private crime labs are usually run by a person or a corporation  Usually focus on one type of crime Unit #1 Notes Packet

5. Chapter 1 Variations In The Crime Lab  Why aren’t all crime labs the same?  Variations in local laws  Different capabilities and functions of the organization to which the lab is attached  Budgetary and staffing limitations  Crime patterns in lab’s area Unit #1 Notes Packet

6. Chapter 1 Unit #1 Notes Packet Major Crime Laboratories  FBI http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/lab 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