Los Angeles County Crime Lab: Improving the Quality of Justice

• NCJ Number: 192527
• Journal: Law and Order Volume: 49 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2001 Pages: 31-34
• Author(s): Diane Jay Bouchard; Judith Martin
• Date Published: November 2001
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The Scientific Services Bureau (SSB) of the Los Angeles County (CA) Sheriff’s Department is one of the largest full-service crime laboratories in the United States.

Abstract

The SSB has some 80 scientists and 120 technicians and clerical support to serve some 10,000 uniformed officers. The laboratory received nearly 70,000 cases, including 800 homicides, in 1999. The SSB has a backlog that makes it impossible to review all cases. Mitochondrial DNA and digital evidence are emerging as powerful methods in crime fighting. SSB Director Barry Fisher considers the growing need for the validation of forensic findings through expert testimony a major challenge for crime laboratories. Fisher regards the pressing need for more resources as the biggest problem for crime laboratories. Fisher, recommends a national commission on forensic science, as well as actions by individual police administrators, to leverage their crime laboratory resources. Photographs