Evidence Submission and Return Appointments
The State Crime Laboratory has implemented a new method for scheduling evidence submission and return appointments. Book an evidence appointment with the Raleigh, Triad or Western Lab by clicking on their calendar below.
If you need assistance using the Booking calendars, please download our
Bookings Handout for more information and step-by-step instructions.
Agency Addresses
Since we no longer mail back evidence or laboratory reports, we are cleaning up the FA database and removing extra addresses. Our goal is to have one address per agency in our system.
This address is what will be at the top of our laboratory reports, as well as what you see in FA Web when prelogging cases. We would prefer this to be the physical address for your agency, not a P.O. box location.
Please confirm your agency’s current physical address via email at
FASupport@ncdoj.gov
Officer Lists
We are also continuing to clean up officer lists in the FA database as well as inactive FA Web accounts.
Officer lists determine who can be selected from your officer dropdowns when prelogging cases (Requesting Officer, Submitting Officer, and Other Investigating Officer), while FA Web accounts determine who can log in to FA Web and who receives case-related emails.
If you would like a copy of your current officer list to review, please email us at
FASupport@ncdoj.gov for more information.
FA Web Updates
As part of our most recent update to FA Web, please be aware of two changes that may impact your case prelogging process:
- If a person of interest is listed as a Suspect, a date of birth is now required. It is critical that these dates are entered correctly, as this change helps us determine cases that may be able to be stop worked.
- In order to approve a prelog, information must be entered in the Statement of Facts field located in Part B.
Additionally, please note the following updates when submitting subpoenas:
- Subpoenas require an attachment before they can be submitted.
- After submitting a subpoena for an analyst, you are now able to enter subsequent subpoenas for the same analyst for a new week.
Documents and Procedures
The following documents are available for download on the State Crime Laboratory’s website. Please visit the Procedures and Records page to access the latest version of these documents.
Policy and Procedure for Evidence Submissions
To review the Laboratory’s evidence submission guidelines, please download the Policy and Procedure for Evidence Submissions. This policy outlines everything you need to know about the Lab’s examination capabilities, submission policies, requirements regarding evidence packaging and more.
This procedure can be found under the Publications section of our website.
Supplemental Forms
The Laboratory requires additional information when agencies submit evidence for certain types of analysis. In order to be accepted, this evidence must be accompanied by a completed supplemental form at the time of submission. These disciplines include:
- NIBIN test fires
- Firearms
- Digital Evidence
All supplemental forms can be found under the Forms section of our website.
Firearms Submissions
NIBIN test fires
- Cartridge casings from a crime scene in an active case must be submitted as evidence! Please submit these items to the Laboratory via prelog in FA Web.
- Please use the NIBIN Test Fires Submission Form when submitting agency test fires for NIBIN entry.
- Only test fires within 12 months of the weapon(s) seizure date will be entered into NIBIN.
- If you need an NIBIN entry that exceeds the 12-month timeline, it must receive approval from the Firearms Section’s manager or supervisor prior to submission.
Firearms Evidence
- All firearms evidence must be accompanied by the Firearms Supplemental Submission Form prior to submission.
- Agency test fires (i.e., items that are not evidence) do not require this form.
DNA on Fired Shell Casings
- If fired cartridge casings are to be analyzed for potential DNA, the District Attorney must complete a form acknowledging this request.
- Evidence must be accompanied by the Cartridge Casing DNA Approval Form.
- Vol. 8, no. 1 – Rapid DNA update, Offender/Arrestee collection training, Stop works, Testimony
- Vol. 7, no. 1 – Latent Evidence, Seized Drug Changes, Rapid DNA Update, Trace Changes
- Vol. 6, no. 1 – Drug Chemistry, Toxicology, DNA on cartridge cases
- Vol. 5, no. 1 – RFID, New packaging requirements, Firearm exam changes
- Vol. 4, no. 2 – Digital Evidence
- Vol. 4, no. 1 – Policy and procedure updates, DNA outsourcing, Current Laboratory services
- Vol. 3, no. 5 – DNA and hemp updates
- Vol. 3, no. 4 – History of the Lab, part 2
- Vol. 3, no. 3 – History of the Lab, part 1
- Vol. 3, no. 2 – What is SAFIS?
- Vol. 3, no. 1 – Sexual Assault Kit testing and tracking
- Vol. 2, no. 5 – New evidence procedures
- Vol. 2, no. 4 – What is IBIS/NIBIN?
- Vol. 2, no. 3 – What is CODIS?
- Vol. 2, no. 2 – Western Regional Laboratory
- Vol. 2, no. 1 – Rapid DNA
- Vol. 1, no. 1 – Sexual Assault Kit audit
DNA and Sexual Assault Kit Information
DNA Submission Questions
If you have any questions about submitting DNA evidence, please download Forensic Biology’s
FAQ and Submission Requirements document.
As mentioned previously, the new DA Approval Request form for fired shell casings can be found on our webpage in the
Forms section.
Sexual Assault Kits
Are you up to date with the STIMS system?
- Please visit STIMS, the statewide sexual assault evidence collection kit tracking website.
- For questions about the STIMS system, or to register your agency to access STIMS, email NCSTIMS@ncdoj.gov for assistance.
Do you have questions regarding untested Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits?
- Please contact the State Crime Lab at SAK@ncdoj.gov if you have any questions or concerns.
- As of January 25, 2023, the kit Supplemental Submission Form is being discontinued and will no longer be required. The pathway of analysis for each kit will be based on the submission information provided. Thank you for your cooperation in adapting to these changes!
Still need information about kits?
- Please visit the NCDOJ Resources for Law Enforcement website. At the bottom of that page, you can view the recently-recorded “All Things Sexual Assault Kit” Lunch and Learn session.
- The “Stand Up for Rape Victims (Survivor) Act of 2019” went into effect on September 18, 2019. You can download a copy of the law, S.L. 2019-221, here to assist in determining your way forward.
CODIS Hit Follow-Up
Did you receive a CODIS hit? Please use the
CODIS Hit Follow-Up Survey to provide electronic notice to the State Crime Laboratory.
Notification should be provided within 15 days of an arrest and within 15 days after a conviction resulting from a CODIS hit.
Rapid DNA
We have received a number of inquiries regarding Rapid DNA analysis. The State Crime Lab has produced the following
Rapid DNA Analysis and CODIS Brochure for your information. Please contact the Forensic Biology Section if you have any follow-up questions.
Preservation of Biological Evidence
The State Crime Laboratory updated its guidance on the handling, preservation, and storage of biological evidence on June 14, 2023. The latest guidance document can be found here.
Contact the State Crime Laboratory
Contact Us
If you have any questions concerning analysis or evidence submissions, please contact the manager or supervisor of the relevant Laboratory section. Contact information for each Lab location and section can be found
here.
You can also complete the
Contact the Crime Lab form available on our website.
*Please note – all subpoenas, rush requests and stop work notifications must be submitted through the FA Web portal.
Separated Crime Laboratory Employees
Click
here to download a spreadsheet of separated State Crime Laboratory employees.
- If an employee appears on this list, you will need to subpoena them directly, not through the State Crime Lab.
- If the employee provided contact information upon their separation, this will be listed on the spreadsheet. This information was also sent to your office in the letter announcing the termination of their employment.
Forensic Advantage and FA Web
Forensic Advantage Training Videos
New to Forensic Advantage? Check out the training videos below!
DA’s Office Online Training:
Law Enforcement Online Training:
Website Assistance
For FA help or other website assistance, please contact FA Support at (919) 582-8720, or email us at
FASupport@ncdoj.gov
You can also reach our FA Administrators at the following emails:
2024 Crime Laboratory Customer Survey