State Crime Lab

 

Helping Solve Crimes
Lab analysts examine all types of evidence related to criminal investigations free of charge to any public law enforcement agency in North Carolina including local, state, federal, military, and railroad police organizations.

 

The laboratory provides consultation on the value, use, collection, and preservation of evidence; analysis of evidence; and expert testimony in court proceedings.  Assistance is also available upon request for collecting evidence and processing crime scenes.

 

All three laboratories are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  For emergency situations, services are available on a 24-hour basis.

 

Lab analysts have been and remain accessible to all verified attorneys who wish to ask questions about tests performed and to visit with analysts for pre-trial conferences.

 

Nationally Accredited
The State Crime Laboratory is a participant in the Crime Laboratory Accreditation Program established by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD).  Accreditation is part of the Crime Laboratory's quality assurance program in maintaining standards in management, operations, personnel, procedures, equipment, physical plant, security, and health/safety procedures.

 

The State Crime Laboratory initially met the accreditation criteria in 1988 and is reaccredited every five years with a full review of the laboratory including an onsite inspection of the forensic disciplines.

 

The Lab recently began working under ISO 17025, stringent international standards that provide a global basis for laboratory accreditation in management and technical requirements.

 

Western Lab
The Western Laboratory serves 30 western counties in latent fingerprint analysis, drug analysis, and responds to clandestine laboratory team calls. The Western Lab is directed by Forensic Scientist Manager Joseph D. Reavis. 

 

Triad Lab
The Triad Regional Laboratory opened in 2008 and houses 15 SBI experts to analyze drugs, computers, fingerprints and other evidence for local law enforcement agencies in 12 Triad counties.  The Triad Lab is directed by Forensic Scientist Manager James Faggart.