The Pasadena Police Department Regional Crime Laboratory services the City of Pasadena and responds to requests for laboratory services from other agencies such as Deer Park, La Porte, Lakeview, League City, Pasadena Independent School District, Harris County, and the State Attorney General’s Office. With the exception of DNA analysis, the Laboratory offers a broad spectrum of analysis. The new facility contains much needed space, “state of the art” equipment, and employs 8 full time employees.

There have been recent changes in how crime laboratories are scrutinized, and for this reason, the Pasadena Police Department Regional Crime Laboratory is very pleased to have attained national accreditation from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Lab Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB).

Forensic Scientists employed at the Pasadena Police Department Regional Crime laboratory are highly trained and educated in their fields of specialty. All of the Forensic Chemists have at minimum a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, or physics. Several possess higher degrees from prestigious universities. Each is qualified to provide expert courtroom testimony.

The laboratory plays a vital role in the criminal justice process. The successful investigation and prosecution of crimes requires, in most cases, the collection, preservation, and forensic analysis of evidence, which can be crucial to demonstrations of guilt or innocence. Scientific testimony is often the deciding factor in the judicial resolution of civil and criminal cases. The results of scientific analysis of evidence – blood, latent bloodstains, bloodstain pattern analysis, semen, shreds of clothing, hair, fibers, glass, paint, soil, bullets or bullet casings, impressions, narcotics, unknown substances and other physical indications – left at the scene of a crime can seem more compelling to a jury than the testimony of eyewitnesses. Well over 60,000 tests are performed each year, and efforts to implement the results of current research in forensic casework are ongoing.

The timely scientific analysis of any physical evidence relating to crimes against the citizens is an integral part of our services. To support demands, forensic laboratory services are grouped into specialties, which include the analysis of different types of evidence.

Body fluids – blood, semen, saliva, vaginal samples and stains – are examined and analyzed. Their identification and characterization can implicate or eliminate a suspect. The information derived from the examinations assists investigators as they reconstruct the events that occur during crimes, especially crimes against persons. Even latent bloodstains (non visible bloodstains) can be detected with chemicals and an alternate light source.

Suspected evidence undergoes chemical analysis to determine its drug contents.  Any evidence used in a crime involving possession, use, or sale of controlled substance must be identified as a prohibited drug to establish that a crime was committed.  This evidence or suspected drug is processed in the Substances Lab, shown to the right.

The Toxicology Section provides analysis of biological materials for alcohol, drug, and poison content. The Forensic Chemists also assist during trials and hearings by providing professional, expert testimony. The two Forensic Chemists in this section also serve as the Technical Supervisors for the Department’s Breath Test Program. They maintain the Intoxilyzer instrument and train all Police Officers wishing to become an Intoxilyzer Operator.

Using microscopic techniques and micro analytical instrumentation, forensic scientists can identify and compare small particles and fibrous materials; for example fibers, hair, soils, paint, glass, wood chips, fire debris, and vehicle head and taillights, some of which are shown here to the right and bottom.

Experts examine firearms for operating features and defects.  Bullets and shell casings may reveal unique characteristics; leaving telltale marks that help identify the firearms from which they were fired.  Tools often leave unique identifiable marks on surfaces that may link suspects to crimes.  Experts can also restore serial numbers that have been altered on articles such as firearms, machinery and office equipment.

Our laboratory entered into an agreement with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to utilize the Integrated Ballistic Identification system (IBIS).  This instrument is used to identify suspects in previously unsolved crimes.  IBIS is a highly-technical, computerized imaging analysis system that records striated images from bullets and cartridge cases and then compares them to a national and growing international database.   Bullets and cartridge cases recovered from victims and crime scenes are placed onto the system, and comparisons are made when agencies submit confiscated suspect weapons to the laboratory for test firing.  The system correlates the images and gives them scores as to possible matches.  While IBIS makes the matches, it is the firearms examiner that is tasked with making the final determination of whether the correlation is a positive match or “hit”.

Selected Forensic Chemists from the crime laboratory are on call 24 hours a day to assist the Department with crime scene investigation and reconstruct the events that occurred at the scene.  The chemists also help other agencies recognize, handle, preserve, and package physical evidence.

Upon request, the Crime Laboratory trains criminal justice agencies in a number of areas: crime scene investigation, crime laboratory services, controlled substances, sexual assault evidence, DNA evidence recognition and collection, Fluorescein, physical evidence recognition and handling, rape evidence collection to hospital emergency room persons, Intoxilyzer Operator, and toxicology.

Integrity is the hallmark of the Pasadena Police Department Regional Crime Laboratory.  We are committed to the highest performance standards, ethical conduct, and truthfulness in all relationships.  The lab practices core values of integrity, respect, service, and fairness.  All criminal evidence is treated with impartiality, consideration and compassion.  We provide quality service in a courteous, efficient, and accessible manner.