Forensic Services Section
An
ASCLD/LAB Accredited Laboratory Since 2001
Goal
It is the goal of the Forensic Services Section to provide, within its capability,
high quality forensic science services in furtherance of the Mesa Police Department's crime fighting
mission for the City of Mesa.
Objectives
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Maintain high levels of quality
examinations/analyses in the areas of Biology (DNA and
Serology), Controlled Substances, Toxicology (Urine Drug
Screening and Blood Alcohol), Firearms/Tool
mark/Impressions, Fingerprint Identification, Latent Prints,
and Crime Scenes.
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Provide technical assistance and case
documentation at crime scenes.
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Maintain databases of relevant
information including the Automated Fingerprint
Identification System (AFIS), National Integrated Ballistic
Information Network (NIBIN) and COmbined DNA Index System
(CODIS.)
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Provide training for police personnel
and technical assistance for the field drug testing and
driving under the influence (DUI) preliminary breath test
programs.
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Maintain accreditation by ASCLD/LAB
News
8/2011 In July, The International Association of Chiefs of
Police (IACP) awarded the Mesa PD Forensic Services Section the
2011 August Vollmer Excellence in Forensic Science Award for the
category of Enhancement of Forensic Capability by a Forensic
Science Provider for the Section's development and
implementation of the CAN database (CODIS, AFIS, and NIBIN.)
The CAN database improved the flow of information between
detectives and the Forensic Services Section by ensuring follow
up to "hits" generated by one of the three automated databases.
Left to Right: Chief Ron Miller, Topeka Police Department (KS),
Lieutenant Craig Walter, Mesa Police Department (AZ), Kimberly
Fiorucci, Forensic Scientist Supervisor/Technical Leader, Mesa
Police Department (AZ), Chief Frank Milstead, Mesa Police
Department (AZ), Stephanie Stoiloff, Senior Police Bureau
Commander, Forensic Services Bureau, Miami-Dade Police
Department, , Director Yousry Zakhary, Woodway Public Safety
Department (TX ) Photograph courtesy of IACP
8/2011 Two Sr. Latent Print Examiners received their
IAI Latent
Print Certification.
8/2011 Two Crime Scene Specialists were
certified by the IAI. One was certified as a Crime
Scene Investigator (first level of certification) and the other
as a Crime Scene Analyst (second level of certification.)
8/2011 Four members of the Crime Scene Unit completed 80 hours
of advanced training. The training fulfills part of the
requirements to become a
Sr. Crime Scene Specialist.
8/2011 During the previous quarter, the Forensic Services Section
applied for and was awarded (or anticipates the award of) grant
funds totaling $274,864.
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Project Safe Neighborhood: 7/1/11-6/30/12, $13,476 to
pay for overtime to work NIBIN cases and purchase ammunition
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Arizona Full Service Crime Lab Grant: 7/1/11-6/30/12,
$110,500 to purchase a replacement photo processor, to develop
interfaces between lab equipment and report databases, and
to
provide training
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Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant:
10/1/11-9/30/12, $41,675 for training and training related
travel
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Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction: 10/1/11-9/30/12,
$109,213 to purchase a Genetic Analyzer, attend DNA
training, and pay for overtime to reduce DNA backlog.
8/2011 The Biology Unit hosted a DNA mixture workshop funded by
the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Instructors from
the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),
Boston University, and a private consultant provided training to
DNA Analysts from all of Arizona's crime labs.
8/2011 The Biology Unit has been working on cold case sexual
assault cases as part of a
Solving Cold Cases with DNA grant.
171 sexual assault kits were submitted for examination.
134 have been processed so far. 71 of those cases were
suitable for DNA testing and 50 percent resulted in CODIS hits.
8/2011 Members of the Biology and Evidence Processing Units with
help from our Lab Technicians teamed up to coordinate processing
cases and evidence in batches and in an order that enables the
best turnaround time for Detectives. The team approach has
had a tremendous impact on the Lab's ability to stay "real-time"
with incoming cases.
Units
Administrative Support
Biology (DNA & Serology)
Controlled Substances
Crime Scene
Evidence Processing
Fingerprint Identification (AFIS)
Firearms
Latent Print
Photo Lab
Quality Assurance
Toxicology
Volunteer Crime Scene
Employment
Links to job descriptions and employment related information
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Forensic Links
These sites contain a wealth of information if you are interested in this field as a career.
News
Archived news items
Contact Us