FORENSIC BIOLOGY

The Forensic Biology Section is often referred to as the "DNA Section" because its Criminalists apply DNA technology to help solve crimes. More precisely the section is responsible for analysis of evidence from crimes against persons and property, with the purpose of identifying and individualizing biological materials found as part of that evidence. Commonly examined materials include blood, semen, saliva, tissues, and bone. Analysts assigned to the section have the ability to identify body fluids and their species of origin and to determine the DNA profile from evidentiary items. They testify to these results in criminal trials.

Criminalists work closely with detectives investigating crimes. They are also called upon to educate law enforcement and the public about their work and participate in community events and programs, such as the academy training of Sheriff's cadets, the county Sexual Assault Response Team training program, law enforcement training in biological evidence collection, and school presentations.

The Sheriff's Regional Crime Lab is now a part of the national DNA database CODIS, an acronym for COmbined DNA Index System. DNA profiles are submitted from evidence into CODIS, so that they may be searched against DNA samples from other labs in the county, state, and nationally. DNA profiles are also searched against samples that are taken from convicted offenders. With the implementation of Proposition 69: DNA Fingerprint, Unsolved Crime & Innocence Protection Act, the Forensic Biology Section has become actively involved in educating and distributing the necessary information and equipment to collect the samples necessary to build the CODIS database.