Crime & Forensic Laboratory Services

Please see scopes of accreditation: https://search.anab.org/

Please see https://careers.wa.gov/ for available opportunities

To view the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab’s manuals and forms, please click here.

What does it take to become a forensic scientist? What course of study should I take in college?

You must have a solid educational foundation in the basic sciences of chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics. All applicants are subject to background investigations, including a polygraph examination. Additional information can be found on the Washington State HR website:

https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/compensation-job-classes

Typically required is a Bachelor of Science degree in a natural science (Biology, Chemistry, etc.), forensic science, or a closely related field.

Required Coursework (DNA, Materials Analysis):

• 20 Semester/30 Quarter hours of chemistry

• 5 Semester/8 Quarter hours of physics (Desirable for DNA)

• DNA requires additional coursework not listed here

Education requirements vary, depending on the forensic discipline. To explore the field more, please visit the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS): https://www.aafs.org/ for additional resources and information.

How is CSI different? How long does it take to complete a case?

“CSI”, and many other television series may be a wonderful source of entertainment for many people, but they are not a reliable source of how forensic science works. Television shows getting analytical results and a solved crime within an hour; in the real world an examination may take up to a week or more.  Results (sometimes multiple) are provided from computerized comparisons that must be studied and verified by a trained and experienced scientist.  In the end, the scientist determines the match, not the computer program. Analytical results, conclusions and reports are technically reviewed before the results go out to the law enforcement agency detective or investigator.

An analysis can only begin after the evidence has been collected and submitted to the lab in a secure condition by a law enforcement agency.  Scientists do not interrogate suspects or “pound the pavement” investigating crimes, or carry a gun.  We are not involved in raids or arrests.  Scientists typically remain in the lab and examine evidence delivered by law enforcement agencies.  A good deal of a forensic scientist’s time is spent at a computer or poring over paperwork, analyzing and interpreting data, writing reports, and reviewing casework.

A forensic scientist may not always get a conclusive result from their testing, or a result that implicates the suspect.  Forensic analyses do not always deliver the solution to a crime.  Forensic results may lend corroborating evidence to the overall case, or potentially exonerate innocent suspects.

Case completion can take anywhere from an hour to several weeks; it depends on a number of factors.

A straight-forward single-item controlled substance case, such as suspected cocaine, may take about an hour.  A DNA case may take a week or more depending on the number of items that require analysis, the condition of the evidence items, and whether necessary reference samples are submitted in a timely manner.  Rush cases, such as those with upcoming court dates, are prioritized, and scientists always try to meet deadlines.

 Who can submit evidence to the lab?

Law enforcement or other authorized agencies (Federal, State, Medical Examiners, etc.) can submit criminal case evidence for examination. Typically this is city and county police, sheriff’s departments, and fire departments.  We also receive state agency cases (Dept of Corrections, Dept of Fish & Wildlife, etc.). Each laboratory has assigned areas of responsibility throughout the state to provide forensic services.

What can you tell from someone’s DNA profile?

While approximately 99.9% of human DNA sequences are the same in every person, there is sufficient variation in DNA to distinguish one individual from another, unless they are identical twins.  While a lot of DNA contains information for a specific function, the DNA used in forensic applications does not code for a particular protein but is still useful for human identification.  Specific locations (called loci) of an individual’s DNA are used by forensic scientists for obtaining DNA profiles.

Some DNA profiles are entered into a DNA felon database (CODIS); that profile is compared to other DNA profiles for potential matches. A hit occurs when two or more profiles in the database match and provides an investigative lead on a case.  All CODIS hits are confirmed by qualified DNA analysts.

Is there a fingerprint/palm print database?

Yes. The Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) is a computerized database of millions of fingerprint and palm print images.  The print is scanned and identifying features are plotted in the image.  The computer algorithm returns a list of candidate images based on the plotted features.  The analyst reviews the candidates, and when a candidate matches the latent print, he or she obtains exemplars of the candidate. The results are verified by two other qualified latent print analysts.

Do you respond to crime scenes?

Yes. Law enforcement agencies may call the Washington State Patrol Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT) to assist in their investigation of major crimes or scenes. CSRT consists of forensic scientists and is a free service available for response 24 hours a day. During a callout a member of CSRT may:

• Extensively photograph the scene and any items of interest

• Take highly detailed field notes

• Thoroughly document bloodstains

• Record any bullet trajectories and bullet defects

• Perform chemical presumptive tests

• Perform chemical blood and/or fingerprint enhancement techniques

• Evidence item recognition and collection

After the scene, CSRT members provide the requesting agency with a written report and testimony as needed.

How often do you testify?

The frequency a forensic scientist testifies varies widely and depends on the type of casework they perform, and the number of cases they complete.  Not every case completed goes to court, and not every court case demands the testimony of a scientist.  A Materials Analyst may testify as often as once a month.  Due to the much larger length of time it takes to complete a DNA case, DNA scientists may only testify a couple of times per year.

Does the Crime Lab examine computer evidence?

No. The Crime Lab does not examine computer crimes, but another section of the Washington State Patrol does.  The Special Investigations Section of the Investigative Assistance Division consists of the High Tech Crimes Unit (HTCU), Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF), Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit (MUPU), Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT).  The HTCU provides computer forensic technical support and training along with recovering relevant evidence that may exist on computer hard drives and other storage media for use in related criminal and internal investigation.

For more information about the Special Investigations Section, call (360) 704-4242.