Crime Lab Method List
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Criminalistics 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. Below you will find a summarized list of the methods utilized in our laboratory.
Biology/DNA
Presumptive tests for biological materials (Blood, Semen, Saliva)
• Microscopic confirmatory test for sperm cells (semen)
• Alternate light source
• DNA extraction (Maxwell 48 – DNA IQ Extraction)
• DNA quantification (7500 RT-PCR - Quantifiler Trio)
• DNA amplification (Proflex thermalcycler) including STRs (Fusion 6C) and Y-STRs (Yfiler Plus)
• DNA typing (ABI Prism 3500 Genetic Analyzer)
• DNA data analysis and statistics (GeneMapper ID-X, Lab Retriever, STRmix, YHRD)
• CODIS (COSTaR)
• Paternity and kinship analysis (Popstats)
Crime Scene Investigation & Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Evidence collection (including entomology and primer gunshot residue)
• Photography (digital, ultraviolet, and infrared)
• Computer diagramming, GPS data collection, and 3D laser scanning (Leica ScanStation RTC360 and BLK360)
• Presumptive chemical development/processing methods for biological materials (full list available upon request)
• Fingerprint processing methods including powder, chemical, and skin processing (full list available upon request)
• Alternate light source
• Metal detector
• Death investigation
• Persons processing (deceased and living)
• Shooting incident documentation and reconstruction
Controlled Substances (Seized Drugs)
• Color tests (full list available upon request)
• Microscopy
• Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
• Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Digital Evidence
• Portable/mobile media devices (acquisition, extraction, analysis, unlocking)
• Vehicle analysis (extraction, analysis)
Firearms & Toolmarks
• Firearm functionality/operability testing
• Barrel/overall length measurement
• Microscopy (examination and comparison of ammunition/toolmarked items)
• NIBIN database search (NIBIN acquisition sites within, but not limited to, the state of Kansas and Kansas City Metropolitan area; additional regions searched upon request)
• Muzzle-to-object gunshot residue distance determination
• Serial number restoration (full list of reagents available upon request)
Latent Prints (Friction Ridge) & Footwear/Tire Tracks (Impression Evidence)
• Known collection (fingerprints and footwear/tire track)
• Fingerprint processing methods including powder, superglue, and chemical (full list available upon request)
• Alternate light source/RUVIS
• Digital image collection and processing
• ABIS (Kansas and Missouri)
• Next Generation Identification (formerly IAFIS)
• Physical comparison (friction ridge and impression evidence)
Toxicology
• Gas Chromatography/Flame Ionization Detector
• Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)