The Division
provides a variety of scientific services to law enforcement agencies.
Services are provided from the crime scene to the courtroom.
Trace Evidence/Primary Examination Unit
This unit is responsible for a wide variety of examinations including
examination of items for the presence of body fluids, usually semen,
blood, and saliva. Presumptive confirmatory and species tests can
be performed depending on the sample. If a body fluid is found,
it is forwarded to the DNA Unit for further examination.
The trace evidence section conducts evidence examinations of hairs,
fibers, paint, and glass. Many of the recovered materials are extremely
small and require a detailed examination of the item to locate any
materials of interest. Any recovered trace evidence can be compared
with known materials to determine if they could share a common source.
This comparison is usually performed using a microscope because
the materials are very small. Fire debris is also analyzed to determine
if an accelerant is present. Shoe and tire impressions are examined
and compared with suspect sources, and lamps are examined to determine
if they were on or off when they were broken. Staff also examines
explosives, plastics, dyes, and various types of evidence in gaming
fraud cases. One of the most conclusive examinations performed is
a physical match. When an item is broken or torn, the pieces, which
are now separated and found in different locations, can sometimes
be put back together resulting in the conclusion that they were
once a single item.
Controlled Substance Unit
The
Controlled Substance Unit specializes in the examination of materials,
excluding body fluids, for the presence of controlled substances.
A wide variety of materials are encountered containing many different
compounds of interest. Samples submitted for examination include
powders, liquids, plant material, paper, sugar cubes, and drug paraphernalia.
Any material scheduled as a controlled substance or available as
a prescription can be of interest depending on the case circumstances.
Some cases submitted involve the manufacture of a controlled substance;
thus, the identification of the controlled substance and the materials
used to manufacture it are important elements in this type of examination.
The unit analyzes more than 1,200 cases a year. The most common
controlled substance encountered is methamphetamine, followed by
cocaine, marijuana, and heroin.
DNA Unit
The DNA Unit performs analysis on human biological material such
as blood, semen, hair, saliva and tissue. This analysis can assist
in identifying the source of the biological material and provides
results in homicide cases, sexual assault cases, burglaries and
other cases where biological evidence is obtained.
This unit, with the assistance of the FBI, operates a statewide
computerized DNA database of convicted offenders, forensic unknowns
and missing persons. This database assists law enforcement in unsolved
cases. The DNA profile from biological material left behind at a
crime scene by a suspect can be searched against the state and national
DNA databases. This may assist law enforcement in apprehending a
suspect.
Firearms and Tool Marks Unit
Firearm
examinations typically entail the comparison of marks left on expended
bullets and casings to test fire rounds obtained from a suspected
source firearm. This section also performs similar type examinations
for tool marks such as those that may be encountered in burglary
cases. Other examination areas include serial number restorations,
shooting scene/trajectory reconstructions, firearm function and
safety determinations, as well as gunshot residue examinations for
distance determinations.
The Firearm and Tool Marks Unit operates two ballistics database
computer systems, DRUGFIRE and IBIS. These systems provide investigative
leads in linking firearms evidence from unsolved cases with test
fire evidence.
Breath Alcohol Unit - See
Course Schedule
The breath alcohol unit is responsible for the training and certification
of law enforcement personnel in the use of approved evidentiary
breath testing instruments. The unit is also responsible for the
calibration, maintenance, and repair of all evidentiary breath alcohol
instruments used in northern Nevada.
