Policies

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Crime Laboratory system is accredited in testing, calibration, and crime scene response to guidelines set by ISO/IEC and ANAB.

The TBI's Forensic Services Division strives to provide accurate and objective services using the following policies and procedures.

Breath Alcohol

Introduction
Software/Firmware Testing
Breath Alcohol Instrument Adjustment Procedure
Breath Alcohol Certification Procedure
Dry Gas Cylinder and Instrument Quality Assurance
Estimation of Uncertainty
Instrument Placement
Quality Assurance
Administrative and Certification Documentation
Technical and Administrative Review of Certificate of Instrument Accuracy
Training Requirements
ASV XL Manual
EC.IR II 2 test manual
EC.IR II Revised Manual

Evidence Receiving

Firearm/Toolmark Identification

Introduction
Quality Assurance Procedure
Training
Evidence Handling Procedure
Safe Firearm Handling Procedure
Firearm Examination and Classification Procedure
Test Firing Methods
Barrel and Overall Length Measuring Procedure
Ejection Pattern Testing
Rusted Firearm Procedure
Malfunctioning Firearm Procedure
Automatic Firearm Examination Procedure
Ammunition Component Classification and Examination Procedure
Caliber Determination Procedure
Cartridge Case/Shotshell Case Classification and Examination
Shotshell Component Classification and Examination Procedure
Microscopic Comparison Procedure
NIBIN Procedure
Distance Determination Procedure
Physical Examination and Classification of Tools and Toolmarks
Toolmark Tests and Casting Procedure
Serial Number Restoration Procedure
Trajectory Procedure
NIBIN Triage Policy

Forensic Biology

Forensic Chemistry

Scope and Application
Abbreviations
Terms and Definitions
Quality Assurance
Safety and Precautions
Refrigerators, Freezers and Ovens
Documentation
Primary, Secondary, and Working Standards
Evidence Handling Procedures
Examination and Quantity Determination of Evidence
Sampling
Analytical Schemes and Guidelines
Reporting and Case Reviews
Balances and Uncertainty in Weights and Measures
Microscopes
Color Tests
Pharmaceutical Identifiers
Thin Layer Chromatography
Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry
Gas Chromatography/Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Clandestine Lab Examinations
Marijuana Identification
Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL)
Opium and Heroin
Khat
Psilocyn and Psilocybin
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
Steroids
Analytical Considerations for Potential Breakdown Compounds
Synthetic Cannabinoids, Bath Salts, and Analogues
Death Investigations, Other Violent Crimes, and Multi-Section Cases
THC Quantitation in Plant Material
THC Concentration Screening

Latent Print

Forensic Imaging Standard Operating Procedures
Administration
Imaging of Friction Ridge Detail Chapter
Digital Enhancements
Printing Images
Digital Media Protection
Terms and Definitions

Standard Operating Procedures
Light-Based Methods
Alternate Light Source
Reflective Ultra-Violet Imaging System
Physical-Based Methods
Powder
Small Particle Reagent (SPR)
Wet-Wop
Chemical-Based Methods
Amido Black Methanol
Amido Black Water
Coomassie Brilliant Blue
Cyanoacrylate Fuming
Dye Stains
Glacial Acetic Acid
Ninhydrin
1,2 Indanedione
Leucocrystal Violet
Comparison
Friction Ridge Comparison
AFIS/NGI

Case Management
Evidence Handling
Case Documentation
Quality Control

Microanalysis

Quality Assurance
Scope
Training
Evidence and Case Files
Abbreviations
Reagents and Chemicals
Safety
Instruments
Equipment

Standard Operating Procedures
Gunshot Primer Residue Analysis
Fiber Identification and Comparison
Footwear Impression Analysis and Comparison
Oil, Grease and Lubricant Analysis
Aqueous Solution Analysis by ICP-MS
Paint Analysis and Comparison
Physical Comparisons
Fire Debris Analysis
Glass Analysis and Comparison
Polarized Microscopy Analysis
Analysis of Animal Fats and Vegetable Oils
Tire Impression Analysis and Comparison
Tire Make and Model Determination
Vehicle Make and Model Determination Based on Paint Analysis
Direction of Force and Order of Breakage Determination
Indented Writing Analysis
Chemical Spray Analysis
Unknown Substance Analysis and Comparison
Obliterated Writing Analysis
Explosive Materials Analysis
Motor Vehicle Lamp Procedure

Quality Assurance

Scope
References
Definitions
Impartiality and Confidentiality
Structural Requirements
Resource Requirements; General
Resource Requirements; Personnel
Resource Requirements; Facilities and Environmental Conditions
Resource Requirements; Equipment
Resource Requirements; Metrological Traceability
Resource Requirements; Externally Provided Products and Services
Process Requirements-Review of Requests
Process Requirements-Selection and Verification of Methods
Process Requirements-Validation of Methods
Process Requirements-Sampling Plans
Process Requirements-Handling of Test and Calibration Items
Process Requirements-Technical Records
Process Requirements-Measurement Uncertainty
Process Requirements-Monitoring the Validity of Results
Process Requirements-Reporting of Results
Process Requirements-Complaints
Process Requirements-Nonconforming Work
Process Requirements-Control of Data and Information Management
Management System Requirements

Toxicology

Scope
References
Terms and Definitions
Abbreviations
Safety and Precautions

Quality Assurance
Introduction
Reagents
Reference Material
Calibrators and Controls
Sampling
Alternative Matrices
Balances
Pipettes
Certified Glassware
Thermometers
Refrigerators/Freezers
Centrifuges
Evaporation Stations
Measurement Traceability/Measurement Uncertainty
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Headspace Gas Chromatography/Flame Ionization Detection (HS-GC/FID) and Headspace Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer (HS-GC/MS)
Gas Chromatography/Flame Ionization Detection (GC/FID) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer/Mass Spectrometer (LC/MS/MS)
Training Procedures for Forensic Technicians
Training Procedures for Forensic Scientists
Proficiency Testing
Service to Customer
Control of Records
Evidence Handling

Procedures
Alcohol Procedure
Additional Volatile Compound Procedure
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Procedure
Acid/Neutral Drug Procedure
Basic Drug Procedure
Benzodiazepine Procedure (including Zolpidem and Zopiclone)
Cannabinoid Procedure (VIA LC/MS/MS)
Opioids Procedure (VIA LC/MS/MS)
Cocaine, Cocaine Metabolites, and Gabapentin Procedure

Violent Crime Response Team

Scope
Overview
Goals and Objectives
VCRT Members and Training
Equipment
Safety
Authority and Accountability
Law Enforcement Use of Force and In-Custody Death Investigations
Documentation
Forensic Biology
Latent Print Evidence
Microanalysis
Firearms and Tool Marks
Evidence Handling
Paperwork and Narrative
Quality Assurance
Procedures
Rendering a Firearm Safe
Sodium Rhodizonate
Phenolphthalin
TMB
Bluestar
Leucocrystal Violet (LCV)
Amido Black (Water Based)
Cyanoacrylate Fuming
Silicone Casting
Latent Print Powder and Latent Lifts
Small Particle Reagent
Collecting Gun Shot Residue
Electrostatic Lifter
Casting Using Dental Stone
Recording Firearms Evidence
Documentation of Blood Stain Evidence
Diagramming and Sketching
Measuring
Collecting Elimination Prints
Collecting Standards
Collection of Biological Samples
Bullet Path Trajectory
Alternate Light Source
Gelatin Lifter Procedure
Examination of a Vehicle
Collecting Glass Evidence
Collecting Paint Evidence
Collecting Fire Debris
Collecting a Submerged Firearm
Collecting Sharp-edged Evidence
Collecting Items of Clothing
Collecting Currency
Comparison Photography
Metal Detector
ScanStation
Definitions