Standard of Service

The Jefferson County Regional Crime Laboratory serves the community by analyzing evidence that may be of interest in criminal cases, and by performing the calibration of breath alcohol instrumentation.

The Laboratory is responsible for the analysis of physical evidence submitted by local law enforcement agencies. In addition to federal and state agencies, the Laboratory provides services for law enforcement agencies in Jefferson and Orange Counties, and other agencies as approved by the Jefferson County Sheriff or his/her designee.

The scientific work conducted by the Laboratory is listed below, according to the division of the Laboratory that performs the test or calibration.

Some evidence that is submitted is evaluated and/or tested, but may need additional analysis beyond the scope of testing employed at the Jefferson County Regional Crime Laboratory (DNA analysis, blood toxicology other than alcohol, hair & fiber, paint, etc). Although preliminary or in some cases partial analysis may be performed at this Laboratory for these cases, it is understood by the submitting agency that these additional tests will not be performed at this facility, and the evidence, case information, and laboratory reports may be forwarded to another laboratory as necessary. Evidence is usually forwarded to the Texas Department of Public Safety Laboratory system, unless other arrangements are made with the submitting agency or prosecuting official. Since the Laboratory does not have NIBIN, test fires and other firearms evidence will be returned to the submitting agency and may then be forwarded for entry into NIBIN at the discretion of the agency.

By accepting evidence into the Laboratory, the Laboratory is not agreeing to test all of the items submitted using the entire capabilities of the Laboratory. Policies are in force to expedite the sampling and processing of cases, and the Forensic Scientists in the Laboratory will make the final determination of which samples will be tested, and to what extent, as well as which methods will be utilized. If deviations from standard methods occur, they shall be technically justified, reviewed and approved before implemented in casework. The Laboratory reserves the right to re-test any submitted evidence as part of the Laboratory’s quality control program. If a case is re-tested as part of this program, the submitting agency will be notified.

By submitting evidence to the Laboratory for forensic evaluation or analysis, the submitting agency is agreeing to the Laboratory’s standard of service and acknowledges the Laboratory will determine the appropriate methods for testing and issue reports in accordance with Laboratory procedure, as appropriate.