Crime Laboratory General Information
Crime Laboratory Services
Crime Laboratory Services
The Crime Laboratory Division is a multi-disciplinary forensic laboratory which provides scientific services to all law enforcement agencies in the state, including federal and tribal agencies. The laboratory provides services in Forensic Biology, DNA, Latent Prints, Firearms and Toolmarks, Forensic Chemistry (Seized drugs and Fire debris), and Toxicology (Biological specimens and Breath Alcohol testing). The Crime Laboratory Division is an ANAB accredited Forensic Testing Laboratory which strives to maintain the highest standards of quality assurance in every scientific work product. The laboratory provides quality forensic science testing, written reports of results, and expert testimony on matters related to criminal court proceedings for the state of North Dakota.
Units of the Crime Laboratory
Forensic Chemistry Unit
The Forensic Chemistry Unit analyzes seized drug evidence to identify controlled substances, clandestine laboratory cases, and performs quantitation of Methamphetamine for federally prosecuted cases. The Forensic Chemistry Unit also conducts analysis of fire debris evidence to detect the presence of ignitable liquids.
Toxicology Unit
Biological Section
The biological section analyzes biological specimens for the presence of alcohol-volatiles, carboxyhemoglobin (measurement of carbon monoxide bound to hemoglobin), and drugs (illicit, prescription, and over the counter). Cases are commonly submitted from state law enforcement agencies for DUIs, county coroners and state medical examiner for unattended death investigations, and state law enforcement agencies for drug facilitated sexual assault investigations.
Breath Alcohol Section
The breath alcohol section maintains, calibrates, and certifies evidential breath alcohol instruments used to detect the presence of alcohol in DUI cases for the entire state. This section also trains state law enforcement officers in the proper use of the breath alcohol instruments.
DNA Unit
The DNA Unit performs analysis of evidence from cases for the purpose of identifying and individualizing biological material found on the evidence. This includes biological screening/serological testing, DNA analysis, and Y-STR DNA analysis. The DNA Unit also participates in CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) which includes SDIS (State DNA Index System) and NDIS (National DNA Index System). The DNA Unit processes all DNA database samples collected from qualifying convicted offenders, registered sex offenders, and felony arrestees from across the state. The DNA profiles from these samples are uploaded into SDIS and NDIS and searched for any possible matches to evidence samples.
Firearm/Toolmark Unit
The Firearm/Toolmark Unit (FTU) provides services to law enforcement including firearm examination, test firing, and microscopic comparison of fired evidence items (bullets, cartridge cases, etc.) to identify the firearm from which it was fired. Upon request, an additional set of test fired cartridge cases can be provided for NIBIN database entry. The FTU provides serial number restoration services on evidence items. Tool and toolmark comparison allow the FTU to identify a tool as causing a toolmark, such as a bolt cutter to a cut lock, pry bar to door frame, or chisel to safe door. The FTU can also conduct distance determinations (muzzle to target) through examination of gunpowder residue patterns, muzzle blast damage, and shot pellet patterns.
Latent Prints Unit
The Latent Prints Unit provides the following services: process evidence from crime scenes for the presence of latent prints, examine latent fingerprint lifts from crime scenes for the presence of latent prints, photograph developed latent prints, compare latent prints to known suspect’s and/or victim’s prints, examine and compare postmortem prints, and examine and compare images of inadvertently captured ridge detail. The Latent Prints Unit performs searches against the MAFIN Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) database, which includes record prints from North Dakota and Minnesota, as well as searches of the FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI) database.
Evidence Submission Guidelines
General Forms
General Forms
If you experience problems opening a form, please follow the Form Troubleshooting instructions.
- Crime Lab Customer Feedback Survey (SFN16700)
- Evidence Inventory (SFN60456)
- If you are experiencing issues with the above link, please print and complete this Evidence Inventory (SFN60456) form.
- Request Firearms Examination (SFN61806)
- Toolmarks Submission (SFN62573)
- DNA Evidence Information Sheet (SFN59915)
- Request for Case Prioritization (SFN60165)
- Release of Information/Proof of Representation (SFN53546)
- Request Latent Print Examination (SFN60404)
General Information
General Information
Accreditation
SAFE-ITR Program Reports
SAFE-ITR Program Reports
Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence – Inventory, Tracking, & Reporting
Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit Tracking System Reports
Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit Tracking System Reports