1	Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Forensic Sciences Laboratory
2	Mission
3	Clients Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office Local Police Departments California Youth Authority Federal Bureau of Investigation California Highway Patrol
4	Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) Processes approximately 8,000 cases a year. Serves the entire county plus federal and state installations. Employs 31 full time forensic scientists and 8 support staff.
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8	FSL Organization Consists of four administrative sections with six functional areas: Forensic Toxicology Forensic Alcohol and Controlled Substances Forensic Biology / DNA Trace Evidence Analysis and Firearm & Toolmark Analysis
9	FSL Functions Analysis of materials that fall within the four administrative sections. Support and assistance for the CSI unit and local police upon request.
10	FSL Staff Functions
11	Releasing Evidence to the FSL Request for Analysis No evidence will be analyzed without a Request for Analysis. For drug analysis, the request must be signed by the Deputy District Attorney filing the case. Describes the nature of the evidence, relevant case information and desired examination (presenting the question to be answered). Unusual requests must be brought to the Supervisor for approval. Sub-contracted work must adhere to the same requirements.
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13	Instrumentation Ventura County uses both stationary and roadside breath alcohol instruments. Stationary Breath Analysis Intoxilyzer 5000EN Mobile or Roadside Analysis Alcosensor IV-XL @ Point of Arrest
14	Breath Alcohol Program Forensic Scientist Responsibilities Maintain Title 17 compliance Perform repairs, maintenance and accuracy testing of instrumentation and generate program reports Provide operator training in the proper use of breath testing instruments
15	Blood Alcohol Program
16	Blood Alcohol Program Forensic Scientist Responsibilities Maintain Title 17 compliance Analysis of body fluids, tissue and submitted evidence for the quantity of ethanol.
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18	Analysis and Instrumentation Combination of classical chemistry techniques and state of the art instrumentation
19	Controlled Substances Forensic Scientist Responsibilities Analysis of confiscated materials for the presence of controlled substances, prescription drugs and other abused substances. Train officers in the use of field screening kits Support department and community programs designed to reduce drug abuse within Ventura County
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21	Primary Function Analysis of drugs and poisons in bodily fluids and tissues for ante and post mortem cases. Bodily Fluids: Primarily blood and urine; Other fluids may be analyzed upon request. Tissue: Analysis of any tissue that is a potential source of drugs. Most often in post mortem cases: Muscle; Neurological tissue such as the brain; Liver.
22	Toxicological Cases Cases in which toxicological requests are most frequent: 11550 H.S. – Illegal for an individual to be under the influence of a controlled substance as set forth by California’s schedule of controlled substances. 23152 V.C. – Driving while under the influence of drugs. Sexual Assaults. Medical Examiner inquiries. Probation Searches. Pre-employment screening.
23	Ante Mortem Primarily for law enforcement – cases in which people are suspected of being under the influence of drugs.
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25	Most Common Panels Performed 11550 H.S. Amphetamines Cocaine/ Cocaine Metabolites Opiates Oxycodone
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27	Introduction Firearm and toolmark identification has been around since the early part of the 20^th century.
28	Firearm and Toolmark Analysis Tools possess features that allow for marks to be grouped into a particular class: These are general marks that are common to all objects within a specific group such as screwdrivers, bolt-cutters, firearms and so on. Pattern types: Toolmarks may be classified as either impressed marks or striated (scratched) marks, or a combination of the two. Microscopic comparisons are performed between the evidence and test marks created using the suspect tool.
29	Firearm and Cartridge Examination Nomenclature: Bullet The projectile that comes out of the barrel and travels down-range. Cartridge case The item which holds the bullet, propellant and primer. Cartridge An entire unit or round of ammunition.
30	NIBIN National Integrated Ballistics Information Network National program spear-headed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). System uses a digital microscope to photograph bullets or cartridge cases. Takes a digital photomicrograph of the land impressions of a bullet; It also photographs the firing pin impression, the breechface marks, and ejector marks on cartridge cases.
31	NIBIN Database of bullet and cartridge case images. Allows for pattern comparison. Works like a comparison microscope, allowing for two objects to be compared on one screen. Network performs a correlation with entered data and lists the possible candidates. The NIBIN system has the capability of comparing data within Southern California and nationally.
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33	Trace Exam Types FIBERS HAIRS BLOOD PATTERN PAINT GLASS ACCELERANTS FOOD RESIDUES CLOTHING DAMAGE PHYSICAL MATCHES
34	Trace Exam Types
35	Collection Restrict scene access Call for help if you need it! 654-3642 Photos Collect Controls For Comparisons Post-its are excellent for collecting trace evidence Location can be the most important information Use paper to protect critical evidence on an object or collect the evidence and note the location.
36	Packaging Prevent decay (dry or freeze item) Prevent contamination (use separate, clean containers) Prevent loss (secure containers and seals) Include as much information about the evidence as possible on packaging Chain of custody
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38	What does Forensic Biology do? Detect and identify body fluids and stains on evidence associated with criminal investigations Conduct human DNA analyses of blood, semen, hair roots, saliva and other body fluids or tissues to determine their possible source Interpret and report results of laboratory examinations Testify in court
39	What is human DNA? Human DNA is the double helix shaped chemical found inside cells and used as a blueprint to determine how to grow and develop into a full-grown human being. DNA determines many seen and unseen differences in human beings. These differences lead to the physical variety that we experience in our family, friends and neighbors.
40	How DNA Analysis Works In general, the evidence is swabbed or a portion of the evidence is cut from the original for analysis. The DNA is separated from the rest of the material. A test is conducted to determine the quantity of DNA present in the sample. The DNA is amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which works like a DNA copier machine, making many copies from a small amount of DNA.
41	How DNA Analysis Works The forensic DNA types in the sample are detected using instruments. DNA analysis is conducted on reference standards, such as an oral swab or blood sample collected directly from a victim, suspect or other person of interest. The DNA types obtained from the evidence samples and the reference standards are compared to determine who could be the source of the DNA from the evidence.
42	Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) Forensic DNA types on evidence that are from the possible perpetrator of the crime are entered into CODIS, a computer system that searches DNA types from forensic evidence samples and convicted offenders across the United States.
43	CODIS Hits A “hit” occurs when CODIS aids an investigation by matching a DNA sample from evidence to a convicted offender or to an evidence sample from another criminal investigation. Ventura County has had over 100 hits since 2002 when CODIS was installed in the Laboratory.
44	Preserving Evidence Like all biological materials, DNA is subject to degradation if special care is not taken to preserve it. The result of degradation can be the inability to detect all or part of the forensic DNA types in the evidence sample. Package biological evidence in paper bags or manila envelopes; not plastic. Drying and then freezing the biological material is the best way to preserve DNA evidence.
45	Laboratory Contact The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Forensic Sciences Laboratory is committed to providing the best services to its customers. Please contact Renee Artman, Laboratory Manager, if you have any questions or concerns regarding Laboratory services at 805-654-2370 or email Renee.Artman@ventura.og