Key functions carried out by the Crime Laboratory in support of our mission include:

• To properly receive, record, retain, and return physical evidence submitted to the laboratory;
• To provide timely, effective, and impartial forensic analysis in support of law enforcement activities;
• To adhere to a quality assurance system that ensures that the final product generated by the laboratory is of the highest quality possible while meeting the needs of the criminal justice community;
• To provide expert testimony in courts of law;
• To implement health, safety and environmental laws and regulations, as well as laboratory security requirements;
• To provide instruction to law enforcement personnel and other members of the criminal justice system in the areas of collection and preservation of physical evidence, as well as the capabilities of the laboratory;
• To provide educational information and support to individuals and agencies who request our help in exploring or developing forensic science as a profession.

The Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory is located in Lincoln, is entirely government funded, and serves all local, county, state, federal, and military law enforcement agencies in Nebraska.  The laboratory analyzes over 5,000 cases per year and currently includes the following analysis areas: Drug Chemistry, Latent Fingerprints, Biology/DNA, Toxicology, and Firearms and Tool Marks. Follow the links to the left for more information on these areas.

The Crime Laboratory is accredited by ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) to ISO/IEC 17025:2017.  ANAB accreditation is nationally recognized achievement for forensic laboratories. The accreditation process includes the evaluation of the lab against standards covering every area of operation including analytical procedures, evidence handling, security, proficiency testing, testimony, and facilities. The Crime Laboratory’s Certificate and Scope of Accreditation lists the Fields and Categories of Testing that the laboratory is able to provide for its customers. 

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Related forensic education and career information can be found at the following web sites:

ANSI National Accreditation Board
American Academy of Forensic Science 
American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors