Free Crime Laboratories by State Essay Sample
Crime Laboratory, is a place where forensic scientists make use of scientific techniques to analyze evidence collected from a scene of crime or accident. Its also known as a forensic lab. After the analysis of the evidence, the laboratory technicians compile a report which can be used in a court of law. Crime labs are normally located in local or state police departments.
Chicago regional computer forensics laboratory located in Chicago is accredited by ASCLD/LAB under the legacy program ( American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board [ ASCLD/LAB], 2010). This lab basically examines computers as well as digital media such as cell phones, video cameras and mp3 players used in crimes such as terrorism, child pornography , intellectual property theft, violent crime and fraud. The work of the laboratory is not limited to analyzing forensic evidence since it also trains law enforcement agents on how to seize a computer and how to handle digital evidence. This lab is a federal one and is therefore funded by congress (Zonderman, 1999).
Drug Enforcement Administration, North central Laboratory located in Chicago is ASCLD/LAB accredited under the international testing program (ASCLD/LAB, 2010). It investigates and arrests traffickers and users of dangerous drugs. To carry out its criminal investigations, DEA seizes the illegal drugs so as to use them as evidence against the drug traffickers and users. DEA also analyses the drugs and stores them safely. It also educates the youth , their parents as well as teachers about the dangers of illegal drugs using magazines such as the drugs of abuse magazine and other print media. It is federal owned (Zonderman, 1999).
DuPage County Forensic Science Center, located in Wheaton is ASCLD/LAB accredited under the international testing program (ASCLD/LAB, 2010). This lab provides forensic services to the criminal justice system of the county of Dupage. It has three units: Forensic chemistry and microscopy, Criminalistics and Forensic Biology/DNA. These units provide analysis in Drug Chemistry, Trace Chemistry, Latent Prints, Firearms and Tool marks. Since its a county lab, its managed by the municipal council (Horswell, 2004).
Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services Command-Region 1, located in Joliet is ASCLD/LAB accredited under the international testing program (ASCLD/LAB, 2010). This command is tasked to carry out crime scene processing, photograph imaging, two and three dimensional diagrams as well as animations of crash and crime scenes (Horswell, 2004). Similar commands which carry out the same functions but located elsewhere include Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services Command-Region 2, located in Galesburg, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services Command-Region 3, located in Pekin, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services Command-Region 4, located in Effingham and Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services Command-Region 5, located in Fairview Heights. They are all ASCLD/LAB accredited under the international testing program (ASCLD/LAB, 2010).
Lastly, we have Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory, a private company categorized under Forensic Consultants and located in Vernon Hills. It is ASCLD/LAB accredited under the legacy program (ASCLD/LAB, 2010). This laboratory carries out analysis in Drug Chemistry, Finger Prints, Forensic Biology/ DNA, Toxicology, Firearms and Toolmarks (Horswell, 2004).