by Shane Henson — July 24, 2013—The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a handbook to provide law enforcement agencies with a detailed how-to guide on the planning, design, construction and relocation of forensic science laboratories. According to NIST, the document not only outlines the process of creating a new crime lab from start to finish, it also provides guidance on integrating the latest scientific developments, efficiency improvements and sustainability practices.
The new handbook is intended for laboratory directors, architects, designers, builders and others who have an interest in planning and constructing the 21st-century crime lab or renovating an existing lab to meet today’s more challenging forensic science demands. While their budget may not allow quite all of the bells and whistles of CSI Miami’s lab, with the guide they can certainly work toward getting the same look and feel should they choose.
According to the NIST, the guide is needed because criminal investigators are demanding more forensic science services than ever before. The increased demand is due partly to changes in criminal activity, particularly the growth of cybercrimes and terrorist acts. Rapid advances in DNA technology and the popularity of forensic science in television crime dramas also contribute to the demand for forensic science services. In order for laboratory directors to meet these demands, they will require specific and clear guidance on the steps involved in creating or renovating forensic science facilities.
The 98-page Forensic Science Laboratories: Handbook for Facility Planning, Design, Construction, and Relocation is available for download, and other resources are available on the same Web site, including a diagram map of the facilities planning process, a facilities planning checklist, and various sample forms and documents.
