NCJ Number
103770
Date Published
1983
Length
81 pages
Annotation
Prepared for a member of the Alaska Legislature, this paper reports on interviews with State officials, representatives from national criminalistics organizations, and academic experts regarding the placement of crime laboratories within the State governmental structure.
Abstract
Interviews revealed considerable diversity with regard to crime laboratories' location within the State government. Many labs were part of the State police organization, while several others were under the Attorney General or State health department. Three primary arguments were made against placing a laboratory under the State police: (1) charges of bias and insufficient credibility diminish with greater laboratory independence; (2) laboratories within police organizations sometimes have failed to compete effectively for limited funding; and (3) laboratories within police departments may fail to attract and retain high quality personnel because of limited salary and promotional opportunities and scientists' dislike of the highly structured police organization. Arguments in favor of placement within police departments focused on increased responsiveness to law enforcement needs, security, and confidentiality issues. Summaries of the interviews, a physical evidence manual from California, and Wisconsin's statutes regarding crime laboratories are included.