DEPARTMENT
OF
AGADA TANTRA EVUM VIDHI VAIDYAKA
Topic: Hierarchy & Major Divisions
of Forensic Lab Services
Submitted By –
ELIZABETH MOCHAHARY
Session : 2023-2024
Roll No. : 21A0047
2nd Professional BAMS
Govt. Ayurvedic College, Guwahati
A Forensic Science Laboratory is a specialized facility where
scientific methods and techniques are applied to analyze
evidence related to criminal investigations. Forensic labs
support law enforcement agencies, courts, and other legal
bodies by providing expert analysis and evidence that can help
establish facts in criminal cases. These labs handle various
types of evidence, such as biological samples, chemical
substances, firearms, digital devices, and more.
Key Functions of a Forensic Science Laboratory:
1. Evidence Analysis: Forensic scientists analyze
physical evidence (e.g., blood, hair, fingerprints, drugs, or
firearms) to establish connections between the crime, the
suspect, and the victim.
2. Crime Scene Support: Some labs provide support
to investigators in the field, assisting with evidence collection,
crime scene processing, and documentation.
3. Expert Testimony: Forensic scientists often serve as
expert witnesses in court, explaining the methods and results
of their analysis to judges and juries.
4. Research and Development: Many labs also engage
in the development of new techniques or improvement of
existing ones, advancing forensic science practices.
Main Disciplines in Forensic Science Laboratories:
Forensic laboratories are divided into specialized sections,
each focusing on a different type of analysis:
1. DNA Analysis / Serology:
• Purpose: Identifies and compares DNA profiles found
in biological evidence (blood, hair, skin cells) to determine
identity or relationships.
• Techniques: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), STR
analysis, and mitochondrial DNA testing.
2. Toxicology:
• Purpose: Detects and identifies drugs, poisons, alcohol,
and other toxic substances in bodily fluids, tissues, or
environmental samples.
• Techniques: Gas chromatography, mass spectrometry,
and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).
3. Fingerprint Analysis:
• Purpose: Compares latent fingerprints found at crime
scenes with known prints to identify individuals.
• Techniques: Visual comparison, Automated Fingerprint
Identification Systems (AFIS), and chemical or physical
enhancement methods.
4. Firearms and Toolmark Examination:
• Purpose: Examines firearms, ammunition, and
toolmarks to determine the weapon used in a crime, identify
the shooter, and link spent bullets or casings to a specific
firearm.
• Techniques: Comparison microscopy, ballistic
trajectory analysis, and gunshot residue analysis.
5. Trace Evidence:
• Purpose: Analyzes small or microscopic evidence (e.g.,
fibers, hair, glass, paint, soil) that could link a suspect or
victim to a crime scene.
• Techniques: Microscopy, chromatography, and
spectroscopy.
6. Digital Forensics:
• Purpose: Examines electronic devices (computers,
smartphones, storage media) to retrieve, analyze, and preserve
data that may serve as evidence in criminal investigations.
• Techniques: Data recovery, forensic imaging, and
analysis of file structures, timestamps, and metadata.
7. Pathology:
• Purpose: Autopsies are performed to determine the
cause and manner of death.
• Techniques: Postmortem examination, toxicological
testing, and injury analysis.
8. Document Examination:
• Purpose: Analyzes handwriting, ink, paper, and printing
to verify the authenticity of documents.
• Techniques: Ink analysis, paper analysis, handwriting
comparison, and printing device examination.
9. Entomology:
• Purpose: Studies insect activity, particularly in
decomposing bodies, to estimate time of death.
• Techniques: Collection and identification of insect
species, life cycle analysis.
HIERARCHY
The hierarchy of a forensic laboratory typically reflects both
the organizational structure and the specialized functions
required to carry out various forensic tasks. While this
structure can vary depending on the country, the size of the
lab, and the specific agency overseeing it, a general hierarchy
might look like this:
1. Laboratory Director / Chief Forensic Scientist
• Role: Oversees the entire forensic laboratory, ensuring its
operations align with legal standards and best practices.
• Responsibilities: Administrative duties, policy formulation,
budgeting, quality control, and overall management of the
lab’s functions.
2. Deputy Director / Assistant Director
• Role: Assists the Director in the day-to-day management
and operations of the laboratory.
• Responsibilities: May oversee specific forensic divisions or
departments and provide support in the implementation of
policies.
3. Section Heads / Supervisors (Forensic Disciplines)
• Role: Supervises different forensic departments or sections
within the laboratory.
• Common Sections:
• DNA & Serology
• Toxicology
• Fingerprint Analysis
• Firearms and Toolmark Examination
• Trace Evidence
• Digital Forensics
• Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)
• Responsibilities: Ensures quality control, guides technical
work, coordinates casework, and supervises staff within their
respective departments.
4. Forensic Scientists / Analysts
• Role: Conducts specific forensic analyses and evaluations
based on their specialization.
• Responsibilities: Evidence analysis (e.g., DNA testing,
toxicology, ballistics), documentation of results, preparation
of reports, and sometimes court testimony.
• Specializations:
• Forensic Biologists/DNA Analysts
• Toxicologists
• Firearms Examiners
• Fingerprint Analysts
• Digital Forensics Experts
5. Forensic Technicians / Support Staff
• Role: Provides technical and logistical support to forensic
scientists.
• Responsibilities: Evidence collection, sample preparation,
maintenance of laboratory equipment, data entry, and ensuring
evidence integrity.
6. Administrative and Legal Support
• Role: Provides non-technical support to ensure smooth
operation of the laboratory.
• Responsibilities: Office management, filing, liaising with
law enforcement and legal teams, handling subpoenas, and
managing case documentation.
7. Training & Quality Assurance Officers
• Role: Ensures that all staff are up-to-date on forensic
techniques and standards.
• Responsibilities: Oversee training programs for new staff,
conduct internal audits, and maintain accreditation standards
for the lab.
8. Case Managers (In some labs)
• Role: Manages the flow of evidence through the laboratory.
• Responsibilities: Organize, track, and ensure timely
processing of cases. They often liaise between forensic
scientists and law enforcement or legal teams.
This hierarchical structure ensures that forensic labs function
efficiently, with clear divisions of responsibility for the
management, analysis, and reporting of evidence.
MAJOR DIVISIONS OF FORENSIC
SCIENCE LABORATORIES
Forensic science laboratories provide a wide range of
services, and these are typically organized into major
divisions based on the type of evidence they analyze. The
major divisions of forensic laboratory services can be
classified as follows:
1. Biology / DNA Analysis
• Purpose: To analyze biological evidence such as blood,
semen, hair, saliva, or skin cells to identify individuals or
establish connections between suspects, victims, and crime
scenes.
• Key Services:
• DNA Profiling (STR, Y-STR, mtDNA)
• Blood Typing
• Serology (e.g., identifying bodily fluids)
• Paternity and relationship testing
• DNA databasing (e.g., CODIS)
2. Toxicology
• Purpose: To detect and quantify toxic substances, such as
drugs, alcohol, poisons, and other chemicals, in biological
fluids (blood, urine, etc.) or tissues.
• Key Services:
• Alcohol and drug testing (blood alcohol content, narcotics,
prescription drugs)
• Detection of poisons and toxins (e.g., carbon monoxide,
pesticides)
• Post-mortem toxicology (toxic substances in deceased
individuals)
3. Forensic Pathology
• Purpose: To determine the cause and manner of death,
usually through postmortem autopsies, and to identify any
injuries or diseases contributing to death.
• Key Services:
• Autopsies
• Determination of cause and manner of death (e.g., natural,
accidental, homicidal, or suicidal)
• Estimation of time of death
• Trauma analysis (e.g., blunt force, gunshot wounds)
4. Firearms and Toolmark Examination
• Purpose: To identify and compare firearms, ammunition,
and toolmarks to link them to a crime or suspect.
• Key Services:
• Ballistics analysis (examining bullets and gunshot residue)
• Firearm identification (matching bullets or casings to
specific weapons)
• Toolmark identification (matching tools or weapons to
marks left on surfaces)
• Gunshot residue analysis (on suspects or victims)
5. Fingerprint Analysis
• Purpose: To compare and identify fingerprints found at
crime scenes or on evidence to known prints in databases or
suspects.
• Key Services:
• Latent fingerprint analysis (identifying prints left at crime
scenes)
• Fingerprint comparison (matching prints found at scenes to
known individuals)
• Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
searches
6. Trace Evidence
• Purpose: To identify and compare small, often microscopic
pieces of evidence that could link a suspect or victim to a
crime scene.
• Key Services:
• Hair and fiber analysis
• Glass, paint, and soil comparison
• Gunshot residue (GSR) analysis
• Textile and fabric analysis
• Particle analysis (e.g., dust or soot)
7. Digital Forensics
• Purpose: To recover, analyze, and preserve data from
electronic devices (computers, smartphones, tablets, storage
media) that may contain evidence relevant to criminal
investigations.
• Key Services:
• Data extraction from computers, phones, and digital devices
• Recovery of deleted files, emails, or text messages
• Analysis of digital communications (e.g., social media,
emails)
• Digital surveillance and cybercrime investigation
8. Document Examination
• Purpose: To determine the authenticity of documents and
identify any signs of alteration, forgery, or counterfeiting.
• Key Services:
• Handwriting analysis (identifying forgeries)
• Document alterations (examining ink, paper, typefaces)
• Identification of counterfeit currency or documents
• Authentication of wills, contracts, and other legal documents
9. Chemistry / Drug Analysis
• Purpose: To identify and analyze chemical substances,
particularly drugs and explosives, found at crime scenes or in
suspect possession.
• Key Services:
• Identification of illegal drugs and controlled substances
(e.g., cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine)
• Drug purity testing
• Explosive residue analysis
• Arson investigation (chemicals used in fires)
10. Entomology
• Purpose: To use the presence and development of insects
(particularly blowflies) on decomposing bodies to estimate
time of death.
• Key Services:
• Collection and analysis of insects found on a corpse > E: •
Estimation of the postmortem interval (time since death)
• Insect species identification and life cycle analysis
11. Odontology (Forensic Dentistry)
• Purpose: To use dental records and bite marks for
identification, particularly in cases of mass disasters,
unidentified remains, or bite mark analysis in assault cases.
• Key Services:
• Identification of human remains via dental records
• Bite mark analysis (comparing bite marks on victims to
dental impressions of suspects)
12. Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)
• Purpose: Although not always part of a forensic lab itself,
CSI units play a critical role in the collection and initial
processing of evidence from crime scenes.
• Key Services:
• Crime scene documentation (photography, sketches)
• Evidence collection and preservation
• Blood spatter analysis
• Footwear and tire tread analysis
Key Notes on Forensic Lab Divisions:
• Each division often requires specialized training, equipment,
and procedures to ensure reliable results.
• Forensic labs usually maintain strict protocols for handling
and documenting evidence to ensure it is admissible in court.
• Some labs may offer services that span multiple disciplines,
especially in specialized or high-volume cases (e.g., mass
disasters, terrorism investigations).
The overall purpose of these divisions is to support criminal
investigations with scientifically valid evidence that can stand
up in court, helping to solve crimes, secure convictions, and
exonerate the innocent.
