NEW - TxDPS - Texas Department of Public Safety

1 Physical evidence Handbook DRN: PEH-MDL Version: 10 Statement of Services Page 1 of 2 [09/01/2017] The most current copy of the Physical evidence Handbook is available at: 1 General Information PEH-01-01 Introduction PEH-01-02 Statement of Services PEH-01-03 Scope of Testing Table 1 Laboratory Services Table 2 Laboratory Addresses and Phone Numbers Figure 1 Laboratories Examining Drug evidence Figure 2 Laboratories Examining Latent Print evidence Figure 3 Laboratories Examining DNA evidence Figure 4 Laboratories Examining Trace evidence Figure 5 Laboratories Examining Firearms and Toolmarks Figure 6 Laboratories Examining Blood Alcohol

2 evidence PEH-01-04 evidence Submission PEH-01-05 Laboratory Submission Form Instructions PEH-01-06 Court Guidance NEW 2 evidence collection PEH-02-01 General evidence Handling PEH-02-02 Drug evidence PEH-02-03 Toxicology and Blood Alcohol evidence PEH-02-03A Table 1 Immunoassay Screening Drug Classes PEH-02-04 Biological Screening/DNA evidence PEH-02-04A Criteria for DNA evidence Submission PEH-02-05 Trace evidence PEH-02-05A Criteria for Gunshot Residue evidence Submission PEH-02-06 Latent Print evidence PEH-02-07 Questioned Document evidence Physical evidence Handbook DRN: PEH-MDL Version: 10 Statement of Services Page 2 of 2 [09/01/2017] The most current copy of the Physical evidence Handbook is available at.

3 2 evidence collection PEH-02-08 Digital and Multimedia evidence PEH-02-08A Template for Computer Search, Seizure and Analysis Warrant PEH-02-08B Criteria for DME evidence Submission PEH-02-09 Firearms and Toolmarks evidence PEH-02-10 NIBIN evidence PEH-02-11 Audio/Video and Image evidence 3 Resources PEH-03-01 Non-DPS Resources for Testing PEH-03-02 Instructions for collection and Packaging evidence Documents in bold have been revised or added. Physical evidence Handbook DRN: PEH-MDL Statement of Services [09/01/2017] The most current copy of the Physical evidence Handbook is available at: Revision History Version # Effective Date Brief Description of Change(s) 00 05/04/2007 Original Issue.

4 Previous revision history included in archived documents 04 10/16/2012 Revised: PEH-01-03 Table 2, PEH-02-09, PEH-02-10 05 7/15/2013 New: PEH-01-05 05a 08/22/2013 Changed from TOC to MDL 06 08/08/2014 Revised: PEH-01-03 Table 2, PEH-01-05, PEH-02-03, PEH-02-05, PEH-02-05A, PEH-02-06, PEH-02-07, PEH-02-08, PEH-02-09, PEH-02-10 Rescinded: PEH-02-03 Table 1 07 12/04/2014 Revised: PEH-01-02, PEH-01-03, PEH-01-03 Table 1 Rescinded: PEH-01-03 Figures 1-6 08 10/15/2015 Revised: PEH-01-01, PEH-01-03 Table 2, PEH-02-02 09 08/16/2016 Revised: PEH-01-02, PEH-01-03 Table 1, PEH-01-03 Table 2, PEH-02-01, PEH-02-04, PEH-02-05, PEH-02-07, PEH-02-08, PEH-02-08B, PEH-02-09, PEH-02-10, PEH-02-11 10 09/01/2017 Revised: PEH-01-01, PEH-01-02, PEH-01-03, PEH-01-03 Table 1, PEH-01-03 Table 2, PEH-01-04, PEH-01-05, PEH-02-01, PEH-02-02, PEH-02-03, PEH-02-04, PEH-02-04A, PEH-02-05, PEH-02-05A, PEH-02-06, PEH-02-08B, PEH-02-09, PEH-03-02 New.

5 PEH-01-06 Physical evidence Handbook DRN: PEH-01-01 Version: 04 Introduction Page 1 of 2 [09/01/2017] The most current copy of the Physical evidence Handbook is available at: INTRODUCTION The Physical evidence Handbook (PEH) is provided as a resource to acquaint stakeholders with the testing services offered by Texas DPS Crime Laboratory Service. The handbook is intended to serve as a guide to assist officers in the collection , packaging, and submission of the most common types of physical evidence amenable to forensic testing.

6 The ultimate goal of evidence collection is to prevent loss, damage and contamination while maintaining a proper chain of custody. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) provides high quality forensic testing on evidence associated with a criminal investigation for any law enforcement agency in Texas . The Crime Laboratory Service works closely with all stakeholders to provide world class service within the scope of its accreditation. Staff will also provide assistance when necessary in the collection /preservation of evidence from the crime scenes and consultation regarding evidence collection at clandestine drug labs.

7 LOCATIONS OF TESTING DPS Crime Laboratory services are offered in numerous locations throughout Texas . Refer to the Service Area Maps found on the DPS website for a visual representation of the laboratory distribution throughout the state. All laboratories located in DPS facilities have the capability to analyze Controlled Substance evidence . The same laboratories with the exception of Amarillo, Laredo, and Capitol Area analyze blood/urine evidence samples for Alcohol Content.

8 The laboratories in Austin (including the Capitol Area Laboratory), Corpus Christi, El Paso, Garland, Houston, Laredo, Lubbock, Tyler, Waco, and Weslaco examine biological evidence for DNA analysis. The Austin, Garland, and Houston laboratories examine Trace evidence . Firearms and Toolmarks examinations including serial number restorations are conducted in the Austin, El Paso, Garland, Houston, Laredo, Lubbock, Tyler, and Weslaco laboratories. Distance determinations are conducted in the Austin and Tyler laboratories.

9 The Austin and Garland laboratories also have a NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network) unit for the entry of cartridge cases into a national database to identify possible associations of gun-related crimes. The Austin, Garland, Lubbock, and Weslaco laboratories examine and process evidence for Latent Prints. The Austin laboratory provides services in the areas of AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System), Digital Multimedia evidence , Questioned Documents, and Toxicology.

10 HOURS OF OPERATION Typical hours of operation are between 8 and 5 on weekdays. Laboratories can be contacted directly for specific hours during which they receive evidence and to inquire about making an appointment for evidence submission. For assistance during non-business hours, contact DPS Communications. Physical evidence Handbook DRN: PEH-01-01 Version: 04 Introduction Page 2 of 2 [09/01/2017] The most current copy of the Physical evidence Handbook is available at: The DPS Crime Laboratory Service observes the State of Texas holiday schedule which is published by the State Auditor s Office.