As a result of compliance with accreditation standards, there are certain requirements of communication and policies regarding case acceptance that must be upheld by the DPS Crime Laboratory Division.
Laboratory Customer Handbook (excerpt from Crime Laboratory Division Manual) (PDF) replaces the Physical Evidence Handbook.
This policy manual outlines evidence processes and DPS Crime Laboratory terms of services, including the following:
- General Laboratory Information
- Expert Witness Testimony Guidance
- Laboratory Terms of Service
- Laboratory Service Requests
- Required Forms and Evidence Collection Kits
- Case Acceptance and Analysis Policies for Seized Drugs, Biology/DNA, Digital/Multimedia, Trace Evidence (Gunshot Residue), and Trace Evidence (Ignitable Liquid Residue)
- General Evidence Collection Guidelines and Packaging Requirements
- Type of Forensic Testing, Associated Limitations, and Evidence Considerations
Service Area Maps
Submission of evidence to DPS crime labs for forensic testing regarding drugs, blood alcohol, DNA, trace evidence, firearms, and toolmarks is based on the geographic area and the county of offense. Click the following link to view the service area maps that depict the testing provided at each lab:
Toxicology (Drugs), Digital Multimedia, Forensic Document Examination, Trace Evidence (Ignitable Liquid Residue) and Trace Evidence (Gunshot Residue) testing services are covered only at the Austin Lab.
The DPS Crime Laboratory Division does not perform external calibration services.
Publications