MN Chiefs of Police Association. Executive Training Institute MN BCA Forensic Science Service. MN Chiefs of Police Association

Transcription

1 MN Chiefs of Police Association Debra Springer Assistant Director Kris Deters Supervisor Nuclear DNA and Crime Scene Processing Glenn Langenburg Supervisor Drug Chemistry Provides scientific examinations of physical evidence, expert witness testimony, processing of major crime scenes and instruction to the criminal justice community 76 Scientists 11 Supervisors / Management 21 Technical / Quality Assurance / Administrative Support Total = 108 Bureau of 10/2012 Criminal Apprehension 1

2 Additional Services Provided Administers the Minnesota Breath Testing Program Expert Testimony in Court Training to Stakeholders Technical Guidance Research, Development and Validation of Up to Date Technology Guidance in Quality Assurance Requirements Serve on FBI Scientific Working Groups (SWGs) and other National Committees Toxicology Detection of drugs and alcohol in body fluids Alcohol Marijuana Cocaine Rohypnol GHB Case types DWI Sexual Assault Homicides Death Investigations 2

3 Data Master DMT-G Replaced entire fleet of Intoxilyzers Purchased with Federal Office of Traffic Safety Grant Breath test results are transferred in near real time for use with e-charging 220 fully deployed as of September, 2012 Alcohol Testing Trends Number of cases Breath Testing Fluid Testing Toxicology Submissions Number of cases Toxicology Testing 3

4 Toxicology Testing Trends The Chemistry Group Drug Testing Analysis and identification of controlled substances heroin bindles Only Forensic Drug Testing Laboratory That Serves the Entire State The Chemistry Group Drug Testing 4

5 The Chemistry Group Drug Testing In 2013 the Drug Chemistry Section saw an increase in blue meth : nearly pure methamphetamine dyed blue. Heroin Cases and Items Submitted Cases Submitted Items of Evidence Drug Laboratory Reports BCA FSS reports out the weight of the item as read from the scale with an uncertainty value 5

6 Drug Test Kits Field Analysis of Drugs training and certification program on MN BCA Training website Drug Acceptance Policy March 18,2013 Temporarily Suspended Analysis (approval needed by laboratory management): Drug paraphernalia Residue or trace amounts Marked pharmaceutical tablets and/or capsules, unless the markings indicate a controlled substance and a jury trial date has been set. Since Implementation Drug Acceptance Policy Drug Backlog Avg Turn Around Time New Case Acceptance Policy 40 Lab-Wide Overtime Restriction 6

7 Trace Evidence Hair, Fibers, Paint, Glass, Footwear / Tire Track Impressions, Physical Matches, Fire Debris, Questioned Documents Only Forensic Trace Evidence Testing Laboratory in the State Current Case Acceptance: Trace - Chemical Unknowns Questioned Documents All Questioned Documents cases must be pre-approved by Supervisor or Director Also on all non-ignitable liquid cases must be pre-approved by Supervisor or Director Criminalistics Group Latent Print Analysis Firearms and Toolmarks, Serial Number Restoration 7

8 Biology Serology Nuclear DNA DNA Database Mitochondrial DNA Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Biology Wide variety of case and Item types Touch DNA Weapon cases Mixture interpretations Discovery Requests Ever-evolving Technology What is CODIS? Combined DNA Index System and is the generic term used to describe the FBI s program of support for criminal justice DNA databases as well as the software used to run these databases. 8

9 NDIS Statistics 10,733,655 offender profiles, 1,736,331 arrestee profiles and 531,971 forensic profiles as of January hits assisting in more than investigations Minnesota as of January 2013 vs March 2014 Offender Profiles 120,511 vs 129,620 Forensic Samples 9,411 vs 12,945 NDIS Participating Labs 2 vs. 2 Investigations Aided 4034 as of December Consumption Summary If ALL of a submitted/collected item (i.e. swabs, a cutting from clothing) is going to be used in the DNA testing process- we need permission in order to proceed No suspect or suspect hasn t been charged- investigator can give permission Suspect has been charged- written permission from attorney must be received after defense counsel has been contacted Hairs- need permission to consume upfront since entire root of hair will be used in testing process DNA Evidence Acceptability For property crimes, we typically require a biological fluid/material to proceed with DNA analysis. General swabs of steering wheels, door handles, countertops, etc. will not be analyzed unless blood or saliva is detected Items foreign to the scene or not commonly handled may be analyzed on a case dependent basis No exams on articles of clothing seen on video tape by suspects at crime scene for wearer DNA 9

10 DNA Evidence Acceptability Weapons cases (felon in possession) Will not accept firearms or swabs from firearms for the sole purpose of inclusion in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database Now sending out a report, , phone call to consume samples for weapons cases Permission in writing, sufficient Crimes against persons Robberies versus burglaries DNA - Order Cases are Worked Cases Assigned Priority Status Crime Scene Cases Homicides Death Investigations Cases involving Children or Vulnerable Adults Cases with Court Dates Other CSC s, Assaults Property Crimes DNA - Property Crimes Items submitted must be: Foreign to the scene Contain a suspected body fluid Items that do not meet the Biology section s criteria for testing: General swabs of steering wheels/gear shifts Door handles Smudged areas Cords Drug paraphernalia 10

11 DNA - Weapons Cases A known reference sample for principals involved SHOULD be submitted before we will proceed with DNA analysis! Weapons involved in Assaults, Robbery, Homicides do not necessarily need a known sample for initial submission Crime Scene Team Cooperative effort between BCA Lab and BCA investigators Lab (recognize, preserve, collect evidence) Investigators (document scene) Typically, the Laboratory Crime Scene Team will respond to: Homicides Attempted Homicides Abductions Death Investigations Officer Involved Shootings Accreditation: Why It Is Important American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) Legacy Accreditation June 1994 International Accreditation December 2009 Total Quality Management System Responsibility / Accountability Improve quality of services Develop and maintain criteria to assess laboratory performance and strengthen its operation Provides an independent review of operations 11

12 Case Submission Trends Number of cases Nuclear DNA Drugs Criminalistics Toxicology Factors Affecting Analysis Time Calling for Information Needed to Complete Tests Item Analysis by Different Sections of the Laboratory Complexity of the Testing Needed Document Preparation Requirements for Discovery and Data Practices Requests Court (Pretrial Conference, Travel, Wait time) Quality Assurance Requirements Validations Quality Control Documentation Steps to Improve Service Office of Traffic Safety Grant Robotics for Toxicology screening of blood DNA Backlog Reduction Grants Robotics for DNA extraction and liquid handling Higher Capacity Genetic Analyzers Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant Electronic Laboratory Notebooks electronic case files DNA and Coverdell grants to fund overtime for backlog reduction 12

13 Steps to Improve Service Case Triage Prioritize by case type Test drug samples up to maximum charging limit Tiered approach to multi-item cases Process Mapping Drug Chemistry, DNA, Toxicology Staff Resources Cross train between disciplines Utilize MNJIS staff to review LP database searches Staff Retention Types of Crimes Prioritization A: Crimes Against Persons Death Investigations/Assault/Terr. Threats B: Burglary Drugs Weapons Explosives Arson C: Auto Theft Fraud/Forgery Theft Vandalism Stolen Property Coping with end of Federal Grant Programs Potential Impact of Proposed Federal Legislation Staff continuing education In the Future High Cost of Instrument Replacement and Maintenance Court Challenges (Frye-Mack / Daubert) and Discovery Preparation Time Validation of Methods (Designer Drugs, DNA Technology) Expectations The Real Cost of Fast vs. Quality 13

14 Our Contact Information Debra Springer Kris Deters Glenn Langenburg Communication Laboratory Director: Catherine Knutson St. Paul Laboratory 1430 Maryland Avenue east St. Paul, MN Main Phone: (651) Main fax: (651) Assistant Director: Debra Springer B e mi d j i L a b o ra t ory 3700 North Norris Court NW Bemidji, MN Main phone: (218) Main Fax: (218) Assistant Director: Jim Dougherty Jim.Dougherty@state.mn.us Questions 14