Acting Director Larry Hebert

This bureau provides a wide range of forensic science expertise to city, county, and state law enforcement officers, assisting agencies at crime scenes, preparing evidence for trial, and providing expert testimony. The bureau coordinates the efforts of the State's Breath Alcohol Test Program, Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program, six Crime Laboratories, the Latent Print Laboratory, the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) laboratory, and the State Toxicology Laboratory.

Select a link below to learn more about the Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau:

Crime Laboratory Division Toxicology Laboratory Division Impaired Driving Section Accreditation Convicted Offender/CODIS Program Forensic Career Opportunities Forensic Professional Requirements

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CRIME LABORATORY DIVISION

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The Crime Laboratory Division operates five multi-service crime laboratories in addition to two limited service laboratories throughout the state. The Patrol labs provide quality forensic services and training to over 300 law enforcement agencies within Washington State. All laboratories are accredited through the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD ).

The timely scientific analysis of any physical evidence relating to crimes against the citizens of the state is an integral part of the 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 or one of the following three gross misdemeanors:  stalking, harassment or communication with a minor for immoral purposes.  Convicted offenders are required to provide a DNA sample which is typed and entered into the state CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) databank.  These profiles are subsequently uploaded to the National CODIS databank which links information from all fifty states. (RCW 43.43.752 - 43.43.759)

The Washington State Toxicology Laboratory, established in 1963, performs drug and alcohol testing for coroners, medical examiners, law enforcement agencies, prosecuting attorneys, and the State Liquor Control Board in all 39 Washington counties. The laboratory receives approximately 10,000 cases per year of which approximately 50 percent are law enforcement DUI cases and 50 percent coroner/medical examiner cases. The laboratory is overseen by the State Toxicologist and the laboratory manager and has a staff of 19 toxicologists and 4 support staff. Toxicologists accession samples in rotation and spend an average of two days a week testifying in court as experts on alcohol, drugs, and their effects.

The laboratory was American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT ) accredited in July 2005, becoming the 19th Forensic Toxicology laboratory to achieve ABFT accreditation.  The Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau, of which the Toxicology laboratory is a part, will also seek to achieve ASCLD/LAB ISO International accreditation of the Toxicology Laboratory and the Impaired Driving Section’s Breath Test Program by January 2009. Going through accreditation will strengthen existing Breath Test and Toxicology protocols and will put processes in place to assist each program in providing quality forensic services to the State of Washington.

ACCREDITATION

The Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau continually strives to provide the highest level of forensic services possible. One method for doing so is by pursuing, achieving and maintaining accreditation from external auditing bodies.  

Accrediting Organizations

Organizations that provide accreditation services are:

• American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratories Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) - ASCLD/LAB accredits crime laboratories, forensic toxicology laboratories and breath test programs. The Crime Laboratory Division has maintained ASCLD/LAB Legacy accreditation since 1983. The Breath Test Program and Toxicology Laboratory are seeking to become ASCLD/LAB ISO International accredited by January 2009.

• American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT) – ABFT certifies forensic toxicology laboratories. The Toxicology Laboratory has been ABFT certified since July 2005.

Standards and Criteria

Each accreditation and certifying organization has standards and criteria that must be met:

• ASCLD/LAB Legacy Standards and Criteria (fee required)
• ASCLD/LAB ISO International Standards and Criteria (fee required)
• ASCLD/LAB ISO International Program Overview (PDF)
• ABFT Standards and Criteria