COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19 Policies
The Department of Forensic Science follows COVID-19 related guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and the requirements of the Department of Labor and Industry’s (DOLI) 16VAC25-220, VOSH Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19.
Face Coverings for DFS Facilities
Current guidance for mask requirements is based on the COVID-19 Community Level. DFS posts door signs designating the current requirements for masking, based on the community level of the locality where the laboratory is located. Masks are not required when community levels are “Low” or “Medium,” but are required if the community level is “High.”
Evidence Receiving
The Department of Forensic Science Evidence Receiving Sections are open to receive and return evidence Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM -12:00 PM and 1:00 PM -5:00 PM.
- Please contact your local laboratory to set up an appointment for evidence submissions (if your agency does not currently have a scheduled time), in order to increase the overall efficiency of the Section and facilitate the time needed for each agency to submit evidence. Submitters with appointments will be served before walk-ins.
- DFS encourages agencies to submit evidence via mail when possible. Evidence mailing instructions can be found in the Department’s Evidence Handling and Laboratory Capabilities Guide, on p. 6 of the section entitled “General Submission of Evidence,” which can be found on the Department’s website here.
- Please note that the following items of evidence may NOT be mailed: firearms and ammunition, explosives, flammable liquids, petroleum distillates, and caustics.
- DFS requests that agencies submit RFLEs via facsimile or email to the appropriate Evidence Receiving Section the day prior to the evidence being delivered in order to facilitate the submission process.
Please use the following contact information for the Evidence Receiving Section at each laboratory:
| CENTRAL (Ellen Spain) Phone: 804.588.4027 Fax: 804.786.6924 Email: dfscentralevidencereceiving@dfs.virginia.gov or Ellen.Spain@dfs.virginia.gov |
| EASTERN (Dave Kvello) Phone: 757.355.5971 Fax: 757.683.2398 Email: dfseasternevidencereceiving@dfs.virginia.gov or David.Kvello@dfs.virginia.gov |
| NORTHERN (Nicole Brooks) Phone: 703.334.9766 Fax: 703.335.8365 Email: dfsnorthernevidencereceiving@dfs.virginia.gov or Nicole.Brooks@dfs.virginia.gov |
| WESTERN (Chris McVey) Phone: 540.283.5906 Fax: 540.561-6631 Email: dfswesternevidencereceiving@dfs.virginia.gov or Christopher.McVey@dfs.virginia.gov |