The Department of Forensic Science (DFS) is a nationally accredited, independent forensic laboratory system, established by Virginia law, that performs scientific analysis and examination of evidence in criminal matters as requested by state and local law enforcement agencies, medical examiners, and Commonwealth’s Attorneys in Virginia, and as ordered by a court upon request of the defense. By law, DFS provides services to federal investigatory agencies to the extent its resources allow. DFS forensic scientists evaluate and analyze evidence, interpret results, and provide technical assistance, training, and expert testimony related to the full spectrum of physical evidence recovered from crime scenes and submitted for examination.
Mission and Values
The Department of Forensic Science’s mission is to provide laboratory services in criminal matters in the Commonwealth of Virginia, support the criminal justice system with quality and timely services, and advance the understanding of forensic science in order to promote public safety.
In 1970, a survey by the International Association of Chiefs of Police demonstrated a need for a statewide forensic laboratory system in Virginia. Two years later, an act of the General Assembly created the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), which included a Bureau of Forensic Science. The new Bureau absorbed the Commonwealth’s existing drug and toxicology laboratories in addition to providing other forensic services.
In 1990, the rapidly expanding Bureau was elevated to Division status. In 1996, the Division transferred from the Department of General Services (DGS) to the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). In 2005, the Division was elevated to Department status under the Governor’s Secretary of Public Safety. DFS continues to provide comprehensive forensic laboratory services to over 400 law enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth, while remaining independent of any of them.
Milestones
1974
The Virginia Forensic Science Academy conducts its first session
1984
A Forensic Science graduate program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is established
1988
Virginia establishes one of the first Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID) programs
1989
DFS earns accreditation from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB)
DFS is the first state laboratory to offer DNA analyses to law enforcement agencies, and the first to create a DNA databank of previously convicted sex offenders
Construction completed on a new Northern Virginia Regional Laboratory in Fairfax
1992
Virginia is a pilot state for a National DNA Databank (CODIS) and for the FBI’s automated firearms comparison database (DRUGFIRE)
1994
A “cold hit” from the DNA databank results in a conviction, and Virginia becomes the first state to discontinue traditional serology in favor of DNA testing
1995
Construction completed on a new Western Virginia Regional Laboratory in Roanoke
1998
Virginia’s DNA databank identifies a perpetrator in Florida for the first interstate “cold hit”
Construction completed on a new Central Virginia Regional Laboratory in Richmond
1999
Creation of the Virginia Institute of Forensic Science and Medicine (VIFSM)
2000
First graduating class of VIFSM
Construction completed on a new Eastern Virginia Regional Laboratory in Norfolk
2002
On November 13th, the DNA Databank records its 1,000th “hit”
2003
Effective January 1st, persons arrested for violent felonies/property crimes must submit a DNA sample upon arrest
2005
July 1st, Department of Forensic Science created
2009
DFS earns International accreditation from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) and becomes one of the first laboratories to earn accreditation of its Breath Alcohol Calibration Laboratory
Construction completed on a new Northern Virginia Regional Laboratory in Manassas
2011
The Central Laboratory facility is renamed the Paul B. Ferrara building in honor of the late director
Familial DNA Search capability is added
2015
In April, the DNA Databank records its 10,000th “hit”
2016
Renovation and expansion project completed on the Western Virginia Regional Laboratory in Roanoke
2018
DFS renews its accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 International Standard through ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB)
2020
The Virginia Forensic Science Academy conducts its 100th session
2021
In September, the DNA Databank records its 15,000th “hit”
