The San Diego Police Department has a full service crime laboratory which analyzes physical evidence collected at crime scenes. Laboratory staff trained in photography, latent print development, evidence collection, and crime scene reconstruction participate in major scene investigations.

The analysis of physical evidence is usually undertaken for the purpose of identification or comparison of substances. Almost any object may become valuable evidence whether it be clothing, a vehicle, a tool, a leaf, etc.

The technical units within the Forensic Science Laboratory of the San Diego Police Department reflect the common types of physical evidence we encounter which have the potential for linking a suspect to a crime, victim, or a scene.

The San Diego Police Forensic Science Section is comprised of the following units:

Field Services
Firearms
Forensic Alcohol and Narcotics
Forensic Biology (DNA)
Latent Prints
Polygraph
Questioned Documents
Trace Evidence

The San Diego Police Department Forensic Science Section is accredited by the American Society of Crime Lab Directors' Laboratory Accreditation Board.