NCJ Number
35364
Date Published
1976
Length
50 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE EFFORT WHICH SURVEYED THE CRIME LABORATORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE TO DETERMINE THE SERVICES AVAILABLE, DEFINE AREAS NEEDING IMPROVEMENT, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICE.
Abstract
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CRIME LABORATORY IS A UNIT WITHIN THE DETECTIVE BUREAU OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY. THE PHYSICAL LOCATION OF THE LABORATORY IS IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING IN CONCORD. CONCORD, THE STATE CAPITAL, IS LOCATED IN THE SOUTH CENTRAL PORTION OF THE STATE. THE CRIME LABORATORY PROVIDES THE ONLY CRIMINALISTICS SERVICE TO ALL CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES IN THE STATE. THE POPULATION OF THE STATE IS APPROXIMATELY 824, 000; THE MAJORITY OF THE RESIDENTS LIVE IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PORTION. THE CONSULTANT WAS REQUESTED TO SURVEY THE PRESENT CRIME LABORATORY SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND GIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE NEEDS. TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, THE PRESENT CRIME LABORATORY SERVICE WAS EVALUATED BY THE CONSULTANT THROUGH ON-SITE INSPECTION AND INTERVIEWS WITH VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND STAFF MEMBERS OF THE LABORATORY. AMONG THE CURRENT LABORATORY CAPABILITIES EXAMINED WERE STAFF, PHYSICAL FACILITIES, INSTRUMENTATION, STATISTICAL DATA, AND BUDGET INFORMATION. THE CONSULTANT'S GENERAL OBSERVATIONS WERE THAT THE PRESENT LEVEL OF THE CRIME LABORATORY CAPABILITIES ARE WELL RECEIVED, BUT MORE ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED. THIS ASSISTANCE IS IN THE FORM OF MORE CRIME SCENE CAPABILITIES, MORE LABORATORY CAPABILITIES, AND FASTER RESPONSE TIME ON LABORATORY RESULTS. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT ARE LISTED, AND AN ACTION PLAN FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE LABORATORY IS BRIEFLY OUTLINED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)