Forensic Kits for Distribution

Forensic Kits Distributed by the Department of Forensic Science

Law Enforcement Agencies

The Department provides law enforcement agencies with several forensic kits for evidence collection. The forensic kits are available for pickup at all four laboratories (Richmond, Norfolk, Manassas and Roanoke). Forensic kits are mailed only when the driving distance from the requesting agency is 2 or more hours to the laboratory that will distribute the kits. DFS no longer provides Duquenois-Levine field tests – for information, visit Marijuana Field Test kits.

Health Care Providers

The Department distributes several forensic kits, including PERKs, to health care providers.  It is preferred that health care providers arrange their pickup directly from one of the four DFS regional laboratories or coordinate with a local law enforcement agency to pick up forensic kits on their behalf from DFS when an officer is dropping off evidence for analysis.  If a health care provider has difficulty arranging a pickup, please contact the DFS Evidence Receiving Section at the regional laboratory closest to your facility to discuss options.  

NOTE:   It is common for the courier service delivering the requested kits to provide them to an agency or facility representative versus the individual listed on the mailing label. Please verify with your staff that the kits have not been received prior to contacting the local laboratory.

Contact Information for Distribution of Kits by Mail

To receive forensic kits by mail, please utilize the QR link below for an online order form or contact the local laboratory serving your agency:

Forensic kits will be mailed within 5 business days of receipt of request.

The following information will be collected:

• Name of requesting agency representative
• Requester’s phone number
• Requester’s e-mail address
• Address where kit should be shipped
• Type of kit(s)
• Number of kits requested (the number of kits provided will depend on the average number of kits submitted by the agency to the Department of Forensic Science annually)

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Types of Forensic Kits

The following kits are available for personal pickup at the Department’s Richmond, Norfolk, Manassas, and Roanoke Laboratories:

Neck and Fingernails Kit (NFK) – This kit is used to collect potential DNA evidence from victims of strangulation. This kit is to be used for victims within 48 hours of the alleged strangulation.
Victim PERK – This kit is used to collect potential evidence (body fluids, hairs, etc.) transferred from a suspect to an alleged sexual assault victim.
Suspect PERK – This kit is used to collect potential evidence (body fluids, hairs, etc.) transferred from an alleged sexual assault victim to a suspect. This kit is to be used for suspects within 24 hours of the alleged sexual assault.
Suspect Standards Kit – This kit contains swabs used to collect a known standard (buccal sample) from an alleged suspect of a sexual assault. This kit is to be used for suspects after 24 hours of the alleged sexual assault.
Primer Residue Kits – This kit is used to collect possible primer residue samples from an alleged suspect involved in the discharge of a firearm. This kit should only be used to collect a sample within 8 hours of the shooting event.
Convicted Offender/Arrestee Buccal Collector Kits – This kit contains a device designed to collect cellular material from the mouth area for DNA testing.
DUI/DUID Kits – This kit is used to collect a blood sample from an individual believed to be impaired and under the influence of alcohol and/or drug(s). With these kits, the DUI/D Submission Information Sheet  may be used instead of a Request for Laboratory Examination Form. These kits shall ONLY be used for cases of blood drawn consistent with the implied consent laws (§§ 18.2-268.2 – 18.2-268.8).  Do not use these kits for blood seized from the hospital or blood drawn for drug-facilitated crime cases.