Introduction

Mission

The State Police Crime Laboratory System is committed to accurately applying scientifically accepted protocols to the best evidence in a timely manner for the Criminal Justice Community of the State of New York.

Goals:

• To operate the laboratory in a manner consistent with the best scientific principles and practices.

• To ensure all analyses are technically correct including all actual laboratory work, written reports, verbal commitments of analysis and court testimony.

Crime Laboratory System

The NYSP's Crime Laboratory System (CLS) provides statewide support to all state criminal justice agencies with state-of-the-art forensic analytical and investigative capabilities and expert testimony related to the investigation and resolution of criminal matters. The System has four laboratories located across the state:

• Forensic Investigation Center (FIC), Albany, (1996), CLS Headquarters: Provides a full range of forensic science services, including the state's DNA Databank.

• Mid-Hudson Regional Lab, Stewart Airport, Newburgh (1978): Provides controlled substance examinations and toxicology analyses.

• Southern Tier Regional Lab, Port Crane (1979): Specializes in controlled substance examinations.

• Western Regional Lab, Olean (1987): Specializes in controlled substances analysis and trace evidence examinations.

With one call to any one of the laboratories in the system, law enforcement agencies, district attorneys and courts can access:

• A full range of crime laboratory services
• Investigative assistance
• Forensic consultants
• Computerized data bases and
• Technical investigation specialists who will assist them with criminal investigations and evidence evaluation.

The CLS provides analysis and related support activities in forensic disciplines and categories of testing recognized by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB).

ASCLD-LAB Accredited

The CLS is externally accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors - Lab Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) as mandated by New York code Article 49-B of the Executive Law. The ASCLD/LAB inspects crime laboratories internationally and accreditation holds for a five-years.

To be so awarded, laboratories must demonstrate that their management, operations, personnel procedures, equipment, physical plant and health and safety procedures have met, and will continue to meet, the established standards set forth by ASCLD/LAB.

All four labs have successfully completed accreditation inspections by ASCLD-LAB since in 1993 and, in 2008, the CLS achieved its first ASCLD-LAB International Accreditation and has maintained that status by undergoing an annual ASCLD-LAB surveillance audit.

ASCLD/LAB-InternationalTM accreditation confirms the CLS's reputation as one of the top publicly funded laboratories in the nation.