Crime Laboratory

Federal Laboratories

At the federal level, the Department of Justice houses the FBI laboratory in Washington, D.C. The FBI lab processes evidence from FBI investigations and from any U.S. law enforcement agency that needs it, at no charge. This lab is a full-service operation, with branches that can handle virtually any type of evidence (see the section on “Basic Services” that follows).

The Justice Department also houses the laboratories of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This network of labs, situated regionally, is charged with the analysis of illicit drugs that are seized in the United States and in cooperating foreign countries. The DEA shares its training facilities with the FBI in Quantico, Virginia. [Page 381]The Treasury Department administers the four laboratories of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. These labs are charged with the analysis of evidence that falls within the mission of the bureau. However, the labs deal with much more than just alcohol, tobacco, and firearms. They also analyze collateral evidence such as fingerprints and questioned documents. In addition, they have particular expertise in explosives and arson analysis.

The U.S. Secret Service, also an arm of the Treasury Department, maintains a laboratory in Washington, D.C. This lab is mainly responsible for analyzing counterfeit currency, credit card frauds, and allied evidence types such as questioned documents. The Secret Service also has a laboratory that supports its protective function. This is a research and development laboratory for, among other functions, antiterrorism and countermeasures against threats to U.S. government officials.

Also, there is a laboratory in Chicago associated with the Internal Revenue Service. This laboratory is mainly involved with questioned documents and allied evidence such as inks and papers in support of the agency's tax and revenue collection mission.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Interior Department has a unique type of crime laboratory in Ashland, Oregon. This lab supports the mission of Fish and Wildlife, especially in the protection of endangered species of animals and in illegal poaching cases. The lab is also involved in analyzing evidence of illegal trafficking of animals and animal parts worldwide. It has particular expertise in the identification of animal parts and especially hairs and feathers. It is also heavily invested in animal DNA analysis.

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