The OC Sheriff Department's Forensic Science Services Division is now Orange County's only ASCLD accredited, full service law enforcement crime lab that provides crime scene investigation and laboratory examinations on evidence in all forensic disciplines, including fingerprints, DNA, toxicology and firearms to name a few. Their services are provided free to all law enforcement agencies within the county.

According to its website, the ASCLD  Society is composed of crime laboratory directors, managers and supervisors from the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, China, Costa Rica, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, England, Israel, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, Sinapore, Taiwan, Turkey and Australia. The membership consists of biologists, chemists, document examiners, physicists, toxicologists, educators, instructors and law enforcement officers whose major function is the management of a crime laboratory. Academic Affiliate Membership is open to all individuals who are Educators and/or Instructors of Forensic Science currently employed by an institution of Higher Learning or Public Law Enforcement Training Academy.

The Sheriff Department's Forensic Science Services Division provides crime scene investigation and laboratory examinations on evidence in all forensic disciplines, including fingerprints, DNA, toxicology and firearms, for example.

Their services are provided free to all law enforcement agencies within the county. At this time, we do not have information as to how the lab's budget is derived, how "turf" battles with the OCDA's office are prevented, or how the lab's performance is measured.

On July 16, 2008, ASCLD/LAB Chairman Frank Dolejsi will present Sheriff Sandra Hutchens with a certificate of accreditation at a ceremony to be held at the Brad Gates Forensic Science Center. 

Coincidentally, this ceremony will also mark the 60th anniversary of the Sheriff's Department Crime Laboratory founded in 1948.