Evidence Submission

The JCSOCL currently provides forensic laboratory services to more than 20 agencies within Johnson County, KS and beyond.

It is common for the JCSOCL to observe crime scene trends and link cases forensically across multiple law enforcement agencies within Johnson County, KS, whether it be through Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), or other analyses. Property crime strings, in particular, tend to occur in multiple jurisdictions, and it could be extremely beneficial to share forensic findings, case similarities, and items of evidentiary value across agencies.

In the interest of enhancing communication and improving laboratory response, the JCSOCL retains the right to confidentially share scientific findings (e.g. names, fingerprint hits, DNA hits, NIBIN leads, evidence items recovered, and crime scene similarities) that pertain to cases in your jurisdiction with other law enforcement agencies and the Johnson County Medical Examiner's Office. This does not preclude specific, case-by-case requests for complete confidentiality submitted by your agency in writing to the JCSOCL.

Information about your case may be released into the public record, but only according to and as required by court order.

The laboratory utilizes analytical methods that are generally accepted in the forensic science community and that have been validated by laboratory personnel and documented in written procedures. The laboratory will determine the most appropriate method(s) for analysis based on information and input provided by the customer. The full list of methods employed by the laboratory is available here.

The laboratory retains the right to limit or expand the final scope of examination, to include which items are actually tested and which are not. You will be notified of changes to the scope of examination, most often via the laboratory report.

In rare instances, analysis may include the use of a subcontractor. You will be notified whenever a subcontractor is used or the scope of analysis is changed, most often via the laboratory report.

In order to provide to you the most timely and easy to understand laboratory report, the JCSOCL retains the right to limit inclusion of information on the report that we deem to be unnecessary for an appropriate and objective understanding of the opinions, conclusions, and interpretations included therein.

The following information can be found in the associated notes available to you with every report:

• The identification of the method(s) of analysis used
• The date(s) when the actual tests and examinations were performed
• Any test conditions significant to the method(s) used (e.g. environmental conditions)
• If sampling was utilized as part of the testing performed, the date, location (including descriptions, sketches, or photographs), and any significant environmental conditions

The following information is located in the laboratory case record, and is available upon request:

• The identity of the person authorizing the report for release (this person performs an administrative       review of the report and associated notes prior to final release, but is not responsible for any of the     technical content or associated opinions, conclusions, or interpretations)
• Additions to, deviations, or exclusions from the test method(s) used
• The date of receipt of the evidence to the laboratory

All evidence submitted or created by the laboratory as part of our testing will be returned, unless otherwise communicated to you, usually via the laboratory report.

It is of utmost importance to ensure the safety of our employees while at crime scenes. To that end, JCSOCL policy dictates that should our staff be conducting examinations at scene(s) for your agency, it is your agency's responsibility to provide appropriate and adequate sworn officers for scene security. Should that support be unavailable or lost during a processing event, JCSOCL staff is authorized to unilaterally suspend scene processing work until appropriate support is provided.