Frequently Asked Questions & Quick Facts
What is a forensic crime lab?
A forensic crime lab is a common term for a facility where personnel process physical evidence related to crimes and crime scenes. The evidence processing may be for DNA, fingerprints, firearms, narcotics, computers, and many other areas. Some agencies include Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) personnel and a variety of other functions within the "crime lab" umbrella. Many modern crime labs also have a large evidence vault in the same building or nearby.
What is the difference between a forensic crime lab and a forensic science center?
The term Forensic Science Center has slightly different meanings in different jurisdictions. For our purposes, the term "Forensic Science Center" will be used to describe a facility that includes the functions of a full-service Forensic Crime Lab, a Crime Scene Investigation Section, and a central Evidence Vault. An educational Research Institute component is expected to be added in the future, and will be considered a part of the Forensic Science Center, even though portions of it may be housed in separate nearby facilities.
What are the consequences of not having a forensic science center or crime lab in Henderson?
Forensic evidence collection, processing and analysis capability throughout southern Nevada is in a critical shortage.
This problem is accentuated by a city as large as Henderson, not having a full service and fully-staffed forensic crime lab. Henderson cannot adequately process all crime scenes and all associated physical evidence without a full-service crime lab. It takes a lot of manpower (Crime Scene Investigators [CSIs]) to process crime scenes, and the CSIs require a lot of evidence processing work space, specialized equipment and laboratory facilities, office and support areas.
Evidence storage and management requires a significant amount of facility space. Henderson's evidence storage facilities are at 100% capacity now.
Henderson has a limited capability to collect possible DNA sources, biological evidence and narcotics evidence. However, the City does not have the facilities, equipment, nor staffing to conduct subsequent analysis on the substances.
Without a fully-staffed crime lab, not all potential evidence can be recovered, some evidence becomes unusable, many cases are not prosecuted, and numerous cases remain unsolved.
Outsourcing the analysis of DNA, trace evidence, etc. is limited, costly, and often takes so long that the value of the evidence is often rendered useless or the evidence is considered inadmissible.
Will the Forensic Science Center help other law enforcement agencies in the Las Vegas Valley?
Absolutely! The Center’s resources will be used to assist other law enforcement agencies in Southern Nevada to every extent possible. This is one of the many reasons this project will enhance Public Safety, not only in Henderson, but throughout the entire Las Vegas valley and southern Nevada.
We have already begun talking with other law enforcement agencies in the valley, with the assumption that this project will be funded, to develop a team concept and protocols to accept and analyze their evidence.
What is DNA
DNA (the abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, which is the genetic material present in the cells of all living organisms) is the fundamental building block for an individual’s entire genetic makeup. A person’s DNA is the same in every cell (with a nucleus). The DNA in a person's blood is the same as the DNA in their skin cells, semen, and saliva. DNA is contained in blood, semen, skin cells, tissue, organs, muscle, brain cells, bone, teeth, hair, saliva, mucus, perspiration, fingernails, urine, etc.
What is the amount of DNA evidence Henderson collects and how much is being analyzed?
Henderson's Evidence Vault receives over 1000 packages of evidence each month. Let's assume that each crime scene with physical evidence to be processed or collected, has potential DNA on many of the items that the suspect(s) handled. With a conservative average of one potential DNA sample per evidence package, over 1000 potential sources of DNA evidence are recovered each month. Of course, many of those packages may not contain any DNA samples at all and other packages may have large numbers of DNA samples. Some cases may not require DNA evidence analysis in order to be solved.
Henderson sends less than 100 DNA samples for analysis to several different laboratories each year. (These labs cannot handle any additional DNA evidence, and samples are often returned without being analyzed, due to the lab's backlog of their own cases.) That equates to a very conservative addition of 11,900 DNA samples added to the backlog each year. Many of those remaining (and untested) samples are from cases ranging from murder, sexual assault, robbery, kidnap, home invasion, vehicle theft, and burglary. Of course no forensic laboratory can analyze that number of samples, and we must screen cases and evidence to ensure that DNA is analyzed in only the most serious or extreme cases.
Aren’t there other forensic crime labs in Nevada?
There are two regional forensic crime laboratories in Nevada: They are the Washoe County Lab ( Reno) and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Forensic Laboratory. Both labs have huge backlogs in forensic evidence processing, and neither has sufficient manpower or the equipment required to process all of the evidence recovered throughout the State.
This “centralized” concept may have been marginally acceptable when there were only 200,000 or 300,000 residents in the entire Las Vegas Valley, but it is not an effective or efficient method for a city the current size of Henderson, nor for the demands of a much larger valley-wide population. Crime Scene Analysts/Investigators (CSA/CSI) and Forensic Lab Analysts must be in the same facility. Major-case Police Investigators must also be in close physical proximity to the CSAs/CSIs and scientists in the forensic laboratory.
Where do the Henderson Police and Fire Departments send their forensic evidence for analysis?
As mentioned above, Henderson has hundreds of cases each year with thousands of items of potential physical evidence that require forensic analysis, particularly DNA.
DNA evidence is sent to the following locations: Bexar County Forensic Science Center in San Antonio, Texas; Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD); California Department of Justice, Laboratory Corporation (LabCorp) in North Carolina; and other private laboratories outside the State of Nevada.
Some of the firearm evidence and arson evidence is sent to LVMPD. Gun Shot Residue evidence is sent to Bexar County, Texas.
Blood/alcohol testing is done by Quest Diagnostics Laboratory. Their capability to conduct analysis and provide expert witness testimony is not sufficient for the numbers required.
Less than five percent of Henderson’s potential evidence can be sent to other agencies for processing. The public labs are already overwhelmed with their own cases and can only accept a small amount of additional work.
What functions will the Forensic Science Center include?
The following areas are included in a typical modern forensic crime laboratory and will provide a basis for the Henderson Forensic Science Center:
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Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit
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DNA analysis
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Firearms testing, examination and comparison
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Trace evidence/microscopy
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Fingerprint Section (crime scene prints)
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Footwear and tire impression comparison
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Narcotics and controlled substance analysis
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Blood/alcohol analysis
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Tool mark identification
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Questioned document examination
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Arson evidence analysis
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Training, Quality Control and Laboratory Accreditation
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Computer Forensics
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Central Evidence Vault
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Multiple-bay vehicle examination area
Shouldn’t Clark County and Southern Nevada have more than one forensic crime laboratory?
Absolutely. This is a critical need that must be met as quickly as possible. Southern Nevada has a significant shortage in our overall forensics evidence analysis capability. This will also have a negative impact in our Homeland Security capabilities.
During October and November 2005 there was no active Forensic Crime Lab in Clark County. The Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD) Forensic Laboratory was forced to shut down its operations for several weeks in order to move to a different location. This situation magnified existing problems in our ability to collect and process evidence, conduct criminal investigations, and maintain our criminal justice system.
We cannot afford to have another lapse in our capability to process forensic evidence.
Why don’t you just add personnel to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department forensic lab and use their services?
This is an inefficient, ineffective, and incorrect procedure to follow.
Many “small” departments follow that procedure due to staffing and financial reasons. Although the Henderson Police Department and Henderson Fire Department serves over one quarter million residents, they are still using LVMPD’s forensic laboratory for limited processing. This “centralization” stems from years of having only one forensic lab in southern Nevada.
There is a limit to what functions should be centralized. Forensic evidence processing is not one of them.
The correct methods for processing evidence requires following specific steps in sequence. These sequences include various stages of sampling and processing in one or more of the following areas: evidence screening, fingerprints, DNA, serology, toxicology, drug/narcotics identification, trace evidence, microscopy, firearms, and tool marks.
Failure to follow the correct sequence and process evidence at each stage is a failure to adhere to standard forensic procedures. These failures prevent the proper collection of evidence and lead to significant problems during investigations and in Court.
The only way to completely and correctly process evidence for cases investigated and crime scenes processed in Henderson, is in a single full-service forensic crime laboratory located in the City of Henderson.
Why private funding? Why doesn’t the City of Henderson use the tax dollars it collects to build a forensic crime lab?
The City of Henderson uses the money it collects through sales taxes, permits, and other revenue sources to efficiently manage the City and provide an excellent quality-of-life for the residents and businesses. Henderson is a very efficient and lean government agency, but the amount of funds required for such a large project is not within the City’s current capability.
Isn’t thirty seven million dollars ($37,000,000) a lot for a private fundraiser?
Yes, without a doubt, thirty-seven million dollars is a lot of money to raise privately. In fact, we hope to raise additional funds (from various sources) for necessary equipment and to support some of the salaries and operational costs for the first few years. But the benefits will far outweigh the costs and there is no shortage of concerned, caring, giving persons and groups who are willing to share their resources to keep our community safe and strong.
Some examples of successful local large scale fund raising projects include the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center, Bishop Gorman High School, and the Hebrew Academy. These three projects alone raised over 100 million dollars through Philanthropists and other private sources. There are hundreds of other examples throughout our community. We also hope to gain the favorable attention of persons and organizations outside the local valley and the State, and look forward to receiving financial assistance from them as well.
With the addition of a Forensic Science Center in Henderson, the entire Las Vegas valley and Southern Nevada will benefit. As crime is held in check, and even decreases, our community is safer.
Can’t Henderson build something smaller to save money?
No. A smaller facility will not be adequate for the City’s current or future needs.
Cost projections are based on a 77,000 sq. ft. facility to meet the City’s current needs. This includes a 10,000 sq. ft. evidence vault with exterior wall access for future expansion. Depending on actual growth in the City of Henderson, a larger facility may be required.
If adequate funding sources become available prior to facility design and construction, a larger facility would help ensure operation for approximately 15-20 years. The architectural design will be required to include the structural integrity, infrastructure, and ground area to easily accommodate future expansion of the facility.
What is the project timeline and cost projection for the Forensic Science Center?
There are a number of variables, however, we will accelerate the project as much as possible. In the event that large amounts of funds are received ahead of schedule, we will work with the City of Henderson to develop an accelerated plan and begin some of the architectural and pre-construction phases. please refer to the PDF at this link: project timeline.
How long with it take for the Forensic Science Center to "pay for itself"?
From the day the Center starts operation; every case that is solved, every rape or kidnap that is prevented, every life that is saved; will contribute to an overall feeling that the Center has "paid for itself" many times over.
What are examples of some of the equipment in a modern Forensic Science Center?
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DNA Processing and Analysis Equipment
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Blood Alcohol Analysis and Narcotics Analysis Equipment
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Field and Laboratory High Power Forensic Lasers
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Multi-bay vehicle processing garage with vehicle lifts
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Evidence drying cabinets
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Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS)
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Firearms Test Bay and Examination Rooms
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Photogrammetry Equipment
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Comparison microscopes
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Trinocular and projection microscopes for hair and fiber examinations
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High resolution questioned document examination workstation
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Updated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
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Add thousands of palm prints to existing AFIS database for electronic searches
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Ten-Print Review Station
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High Quality Ventilation and Filtration System
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Scanning Electron Microscope
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Vacuum Metal Deposition Chamber
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Evidence Photography Light Boxes
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Forensic video analysis equipment
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If an individual or organization makes a donation, will they receive preferential treatment in the event they are the victim of a crime or need other police services?
No. The services that the Criminalistics Bureau (Forensic Laboratory, Crime Scene, and Evidence Vault) provides are (and will continue to be) prioritized and scheduled according to type of crime, status of suspects, injuries to victims, factors concerning possible serial crimes, case workload, and numerous other objective factors. |
