WEST VIRGINIA STATE POLICE
FORENSIC LABORATORY
The West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory is an accredited, full service laboratory that performs specialized examinations on evidence that is collected during criminal investigations. Services are provided free of charge to all law enforcement entities operating within the 55 counties of West Virginia.
The West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory is unable to perform testing for Relatives of Missing Persons. For more information on Relative of Missing Person Testing you may contact the University of
North Texas Health Science Center.
Laboratory Philosophy Statements
Management
Laboratory management recognizes that the Laboratory is one element of a multifaceted "criminal justice system," and that scientific results generated by the Laboratory may be used by any element of that system.
MiSSION
It is the mission of the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory to provide accurate and impartial scientific support services to all criminal justice agencies operating in the State of West Virginia.
Goal
The goal of the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory is to generate accurate, impartial, and timely scientific examinations and opinions for the criminal justice system of the State in the interest of public safety.
Examinations and Functions
The Laboratory is composed of seven specialized sections that provide the following services:
- Analysis and identification of controlled substances (Seized Drugs Section).
- Analysis, identification, and quantification of ethyl alcohol, suspected alcoholic beverages, and blood alcohol content level. Analysis of urine and blood specimens for the presence of drugs (Toxicology Section).
- Analysis and identification of ignitable liquids in charred debris and other forms of evidence. Analysis and identification of primer gunshot residues (Trace Evidence Section).
- Analysis of biological material on items of evidence (Biology/ Processing Section).
- DNA Analysis on evidentiary samples and database samples (Biology/ DNA and Databasing Sections).
- Analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification of friction ridge skin impressions (Latent Prints Section).
- Identification and comparison of tool marks, firearms comparisons, and distance determinations. Analysis of obliterated marks and impressions. (Firearm/Tool Mark Section).
- Analysis and comparison of footwear and tire tread impressions (Firearm/ Tool Mark Section).
Laboratory Accreditation
Accreditation was first obtained by the Laboratory on September 26, 1994, through the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB), which became ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). As a part of accreditation, the Laboratory’s activities are monitored yearly by ANAB. To maintain accreditation, the Laboratory must comply with specific criteria relating to the Laboratory’s Management and Operations, Personnel and Facilities. The criteria and standards address laboratory administrative practices, procedures, training, evidence handling, quality control, analysis protocols, testimony, proficiency testing, personnel qualifications, space allocation, security, and a variety of other related topics. The Laboratory is assessed yearly by ANAB, with a full on-site reassessment every four years. Additionally, the Biology/ DNA and Databasing Unit are assessed every other year by an outside agency using the FBI Quality Assurance Document for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories and DNA Databasing Laboratories.