Forensic Services Division

The Forensic Chemistry Unit analyzes any substance seized in violation of laws regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of abusive type drugs.  In a coordinated effort between TBI's Drug Investigation Division and its Forensic Services Division, clandestine laboratory cases are also processed by the team in this unit.

The Toxicology Unit conducts analysis of blood and other body fluids for alcohol, drugs, or poisons, in conjunction with persons arrested for traffic charges (DUI) or to assist medical examiners in death investigations.

The Latent Fingerprints Unit provides analysis of physical evidence for invisible fingerprints and/or palm prints and comparison of latent prints developed with the inked impressions of suspects.

TBI's Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is located in this unit, allowing unidentified latent fingerprints obtained from crime scenes or developed on evidence submitted to the laboratory, to be searched against the database of fingerprint records maintained by TBI. In addition, this unit has the capability of submitting unidentified latent prints from major crime scenes to the FBI for a fingerprint database search.

The Firearms & Toolmark Identification Unit primarily works to determine if a bullet, cartridge case, or other ammunition component was fired from a particular weapon. Scientists in this unit have an extensive knowledge of all types of weapons and toolmarks and can also work to restore obliterated serial numbers on weapons and other evidence, detect gunpowder residue on fabrics, and estimate muzzle-to-garment distance.

This unit also houses the National Integrated Ballistics Identification Network (NIBIN) connection for TBI, allowing individual characteristics from evidence cartridge cases or test cartridge cases from submitted weapons to be searched against a national database.

Scientists in TBI's Microanalysis handle a wide variety of evidence types and generally specialize in several of the following subdisciplines:

• Fire Debris Analysis: Debris can be examined to determine the presence of an unconsumed ignitable liquid, such as oil or alcohol.
• Gunshot Residue Analysis: This analysis is used to determine the presence of antimony, barium, and lead from hands of individuals who may have fired a gun or from crime-related objects, like clothing and vehicles.
• Impression Comparisons: Shoe and tire impressions recovered from the scene can be compared to known examples and a tire tread and shoe database.
• Explosive Residue: Detonated devices may be examined for the type of explosive contained in the device.
• Paint Analysis & Comparisons: Recovered paint evidence can be compared to known samples.
• Glass Fracture Analysis & Comparisons: Glass recovered from a scene can be compared to class recovered from objects associated with a subject, such as clothing and tools. Scientists can also analyze direction and order of breakage.
• Fiber Comparisons: These can include individual fibers, as well as larger textile constructions, such as fabric or carpet. This analysis is often based upon microscopic examination and comparison, in conjunction with instrumental methods.
• Indented Impressions: These can be created when wrtiing, drawing, or typing upon a top sheet of paper imparts an indentation on the sheet or sheets immediately below the page bearing the intended image.
• Tape Comparisons: A torn or cut end of tape recovered from a crime scene may be found to match the end of a recovered partial roll.
• Physical Comparisons: Scientists can associate two or more items using individual characteristics, such as fracture matches, or class characteristics, such as size, construction, or physical properties.

The Forensic Biology Unit performs identification and characterization of blood and other body fluids, namely blood, semen and saliva - liquid or dried, animal or human - present in a form to suggest a relation to the offense or persons involved in a crime.

This Unit also performs DNA profiling: the capability to identify specific individuals by comparing biological samples left at a crime scene or from the body of a victim. DNA Profiling is performed using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Short Tandem Repeat (STR) DNA Analysis.

In February 2002, the TBI Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) Database became fully operational. Advances in DNA technology represent one of the most significant forensic breakthroughs of the century by allowing the identification of a murderer or rapist based on trace amounts of biological evidence left at the crime scene. The database was established nationally by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to enable crime laboratories to exchange DNA profiles for unknown subjects and convicted offenders. The national index assists agencies in developing investigative leads since subjects can be searched against the file of convicted offenders.

The Breath Alcohol Unit administers and maintains Tennessee's breath alcohol program. Scientists assigned to this unit certify and calibrate evidentiary breath alcohol instruments across the state. The staff is also responsible for training law enforcement personnel as operators on the instruments.

The Evidence Receiving Unit receives, inventories, distributes, and stores all evidence submitted to the laboratory.