Overview

Resources in investigative agencies and laboratories are valuable and often limited. Effectively leveraging the abilities and services provided by first responders and crime scene technicians in the evaluation, prioritization and collection of evidence at the scene will help to improve functionality and streamline processes throughout the justice process.

Law enforcement agencies and laboratories are increasingly required to do more with less. Therefore, it is incumbent on administrators to use their limited resources in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

There are three key practices that help to maximize the effectiveness of staff and ensure the best use of forensic laboratory resources:

• Proper evidence collection and packaging¹
• Prioritization of evidence submitted to the laboratory^3,4,5
• Forensic science education

¹ Presentation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Offender DNA Collection Instructions for Completing the DNA Collection Process. PDF download: 3.8MB • Visit the Missouri State Highway Patrol Publications »
³ Illinois State Police FY 2010 DNA Testing Accountability Report PDF download: 164kB • Visit the Illinois State Police »
⁴ Effectively Utilizing DNA Technology to Solve Crime in Orange County 2009-2010 Annual Report pp9,10 PDF download: 208kB • Visit the Orange County District Attorney »
⁵ Arkansas State Crime Laboratory Special Report Case Prioritization and Turnaround (April 10, 2009). PDF download: 112kB • Visit the Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit »

Back Forward