Customers may request that a case receive status. The request must be in writing and “Rush” contain minimally: case number, reason for request, and preferred date of receipt. Coverage Area The STPSO Crime Lab routinely provides services to the Louisiana 22nd Judicial District which includes St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. Other agencies may request services from the STPSO Crime Lab; however, service provision is at the discretion of the STPSO Crime Lab. General Safety Information Physical evidence being submitted for forensic testing can pose significant safety hazards. It may not always be possible to determine if evidence poses a biological or chemical hazard, so it is imperative to follow universal safety precautions when handling all evidence. According to the concept of Universal Safety Precautions, all human blood and certain body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and other blood borne pathogens. All body fluids should be handled with caution. Evidence that is a potential biohazard should be plainly marked with biohazard stickers. Suspected hazardous chemicals and sharps must also be plainly marked. General Case and Evidence Acceptance Policies The STPSO Crime Lab will receive and examine evidence submitted by the criminal justice community investigating a potential criminal action. The following types of cases and/or evidence not generally accepted: Evidence from private individuals or businesses. Non-criminal, not capable of being charged criminally, or not probative in a cause of death determination. Requests which limit the scope of the agency’s investigation. or affected evidence that renders scientific examinations invalid. “Compromised” Previously examined evidence. The Crime Lab Director or designee may allow exceptions to this policy on a case-by- case basis. Packaging Proper packaging, identification, and sealing of evidence is imperative to its preservation and integrity. Keep in mind to change gloves between handling different items of evidence. Evidence should be packaged: In the manner in which it was found. Items found in contact with each other, should be
Customers may request that a case receive “Rush” status. The request must be in writing and contain minimally: case number, reason for request, and preferred date of receipt. Coverage Area The STPSO Crime Lab routinely provides services to the Louisiana 22nd Judicial District which includes St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. Other agencies may request services from the STPSO Crime Lab; however, service provision is at the discretion of the STPSO Crime Lab. General Safety Information Physical evidence being submitted for forensic testing can pose significant safety hazards. It may not always be possible to determine if evidence poses a biological or chemical hazard, so it is imperative to follow universal safety precautions when handling all evidence. According to the concept of Universal Safety Precautions, all human blood and certain body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and other blood borne pathogens. All body fluids should be handled with caution. Evidence that is a potential biohazard should be plainly marked with biohazard stickers. Suspected hazardous chemicals and sharps must also be plainly marked. General Case and Evidence Acceptance Policies The STPSO Crime Lab will receive and examine evidence submitted by the criminal justice community investigating a potential criminal action. The following types of cases and/or evidence not generally accepted: Evidence from private individuals or businesses. Non-criminal, not capable of being charged criminally, or not probative in a cause of death determination. Requests which limit the scope of the agency’s investigation. “Compromised” or affected evidence that renders scientific examinations invalid. Previously examined evidence. The Crime Lab Director or designee may allow exceptions to this policy on a case-by- case basis. Packaging Proper packaging, identification, and sealing of evidence is imperative to its preservation and integrity. Keep in mind to change gloves between handling different items of evidence. Evidence should be packaged: In the manner in which it was found. Items found in contact with each other, should be