Evidence Processing: Dual processing of an evidence item to obtain latent prints and DNA. EP testing is only applicable for evidence not swabbed for DNA or processed for prints at the crime scene. An example would be the dual processing of a knife for both latent prints as well as DNA.

Latent Fingerprint Unit: Latent print analysis

Forensic Biology Unit: Serology (identification of blood and semen) and DNA analysis

Forensic Chemistry Unit: Seized drug analysis / identification of controlled substance

Evidence processing (EP) is a test method performed on an evidence item to obtain latent fingerprints where the evidence item is also swabbed for DNA. EP testing is only applicable for evidence not swabbed for DNA or processed for prints at the crime scene. An example would be the dual processing of a knife for both latent prints as well as DNA. When submitting a request for EP, please note on the FSL Request for Testing webform if subsequent testing of the latent print and/or DNA swab is needed. A single webform can be used to request EP and subsequent latent print and DNA testing.

A testing request can be submitted to DFS via the FSL Request for Testing webform located on the public DFS website.

FSL Request for Testing Form

Standard testing is conducted on a 90-day turnaround time from the date the testing request is approved. Expedited testing can be requested within the FSL Request for Testing webform and is evaluated based on laboratory capacity.

Documented approval from an official of the rank Captain or higher is required for expedited testing requests received from MPD. Expedited testing is limited to public safety priority cases. Please include the requested turnaround time for each testing service in the FSL Request for Testing webform.

An expedited testing request can be submitted by USAO via a FSL Request for Testing webform. Please include the trial date or judicial due date as well as the date the report is needed.

A trial date as well as the 100th day can be noted within the FSL Request for Testing webform. This will ensure DFS has visibility of the trial date or 100th day and can evaluate if the requested date can be achieved.

Please submit a Cancellation Request for Testing Form which is located on the DFS website.

https://dfs.dc.gov/page/cancellation-request-testing-form

Alternatively, please email the Forensic Intelligence Unit (FIU) at [email protected].

Yes, the following evidence is automatically tested by DFS. Submission of a FSL Request for Testing webform is not needed.

• Physical Evidence Recovery Kit / PERKs (also known as a SANE Kit) associated with sexual assault cases are automatically tested in accordance with Sexual Assault Victims’ Right Amendment Act (SAVRAA) legislation.
• Recovered firearms are automatically test fired.
• Cartridges and casings are automatically sent for NIBIN entry.

The DFS Forensic Intelligence Unit (FIU) uses item descriptions to verify the correct evidence item is received and tested. A case may include several pieces of evidence that are very similar. The item descriptions allow FIU to efficiently ensure the evidence is listed under the correct CCN and the correct evidence is requested from the MPD Evidence Control Division (ECD) (if applicable).

This field should be completed when DFS collected evidence under the CCN. Please do not list the MPD MCL numbers in this field.

No, a request must be submitted with the acknowledgement that the evidence is located at ECD*. Upon approval of a FSL Request for Testing webform, DFS requests the evidence to be transferred from MPD ECD to DFS. The evidence must be located at MPD ECD prior to submission of the FSL Request for Testing webform to ensure DFS can meet due dates/expected turnaround times.

If you don’t have access to EvidenceOnQ, please reach out to the MPD property office, MPD Crime Scene Officer, or DFS Crime Scene Scientist who recovered the item(s) of evidence for testing.

*When an agency is requesting testing of non-MPD evidence (e.g., Department of Corrections) the evidence must be transferred directly to DFS after the request for testing is approved. Please reference the DFS case number upon transfer to the DFS Central Evidence Unit (CEU).

The case synopsis shall include information that is pertinent to the testing of the evidence. This may include stating what happened during the commission of the crime, the association of the evidence to the crime scene, or if an associated individual is the victim, suspect, or witness. For example, state if the suspect is believed to have transferred biological fluids to a specific area of an evidence item or if an evidence item was recovered from the suspect’s flight path as opposed to the crime scene. The case synopsis shall be brief and specific to the testing request, it should not be a detailed case report or include investigatory hypotheses.

 

The information that may be needed for indoor offense (an establishment) is:

1. How many employees touched/handled the item(s) in questions? For example, if the offense involved a cash register or safe, how many employees handled the cash register or safe on the date of the offense?
2. Do any of the items of evidence belong to and/or was left behind by the suspect(s)?
3. Was the suspected blood at the offense location prior to the offense? (if applicable)
4. Where did the suspect(s) enter and exit the offense location?
5. Is any of the area(s) in which the suspect entered or exited as well as touched, accessible to the general public/unknown individuals?
6. Clarify if the swab(s) was collected from the interior or exterior area (ex. backdoor, front door, window, etc.) if not noted within the evidence description.

The information that may be needed for indoor offense (residence) is:

1. Who lives at the residence? How many individuals reside at the location? Can a buccal swab(s) be obtained from each individual(s)?
2. How many individuals touched/handled the item(s) of evidence in question? Do any of the items of evidence belong to and/or were left behind by the suspect(s)?
3. Was the suspected blood at the offense location prior to the offense taking place? (if applicable)
4. Where did the suspect(s) enter and exit the offense location?
5. Is any of the area(s) outside the residence in which the suspect came into contact with accessible to the general public/unknown individuals?
6. Clarify if the swab(s) was collected from the interior or exterior area (ex. backdoor, front door, window, etc.) if not noted within the evidence description.

The information that may be needed for an offense involving a vehicle is:

1. Which evidence items recovered might be related to the suspect(s) or left behind by the suspects(s)? 
2. Which evidence items were not in the vehicle (belonging to vehicle owner and/or authorized user) prior to the offense occurring that involved the vehicle being stolen?
3. How many suspect(s) got into the vehicle at the time of the offense? Which seat was each of the suspect(s) sitting in?
4. Does anyone besides the vehicle owner, such as a friend or family member, regularly use the vehicle.
5. Can buccal swabs be collected from the vehicle owner and any other regular drivers/passengers for elimination purposes?

A PDID # is required when a latent print is to be compared to a complainant, suspect, defendant, Person of Interest or any other known individual related to the case. PDIDs are used to obtain known fingerprint cards from AFIS.

The FBI governs access to the CODIS database and requires laboratories to request elimination samples to ensure only DNA profiles associated with the putative perpetrator are entered into CODIS.

Elimination samples are beneficial in the DNA testing process as they help to “untangle” complex mixtures and more easily, through scientific means, identify the DNA profile associated with the putative perpetrator.

Being unable to obtain an elimination swab does not preclude testing. However, a statement must be entered into the Case Synopsis stating why an elimination sample was not obtained. For example, the homeowner refused to provide an elimination sample, the consensual partner cannot be located, etc.

PTC stands for permission to consume. It is needed only for attorney (USAO & OAG) requests being submitted for DNA testing.

PTC is needed prior to the start of analysis to ensure our analysts can complete testing without interruption or delays due to litigation on consumption.

The difference is that cartridges are unfired ammunition which DFS generally does not process for testing.

Cartridge casings are the ammunition ejected when a firearm is fired, which DFS does approve for testing, depending on the type of testing being requested and the associated offense.

Cartridges and cartridge casings cannot be requested for latent print testing, but cartridge casings can be requested for DNA testing for a homicide case or a shooting involving three or more victims.

Once a weapon (e.g. firearm) has been swabbed, please list the swabs from the weapon on the request form and not list the physical firearm itself. For example, MPD Item 02SD Swabbing of Glock 44. Please indicate the type of testing requested (e.g. Forensic Biology).

When a firearm and/or magazine is recovered from a residence or establishment, please specify the location within the residence/establishment; for example, on the couch in the living room.

An example of the information needed includes noting if the suspect grabbed onto the complainant’s/victim’s clothing or reached into clothing pockets.

For example (sexual assault clothing case), the skirt was worn by the complainant during the time of the assault and the suspect touched her vaginal/pelvic area over top of the skirt.

For example (pocket case), the suspect went through all the pockets of the complainant's jeans.

The FSL Request for Testing webform shall also be used by other DC LEAs to submit a testing request. These LEA agencies may include Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD), US Capitol Police (USCP), Department of Corrections (DOC), and United States Park Police (USPP).

The FSL Request for Testing webform received by other LEAs shall be dropped off directly at DFS CEU, after the FSL Request for Testing webform has been approved by DFS FIU. Please refer to the DFS case number when transferring the evidence to DFS CEU.