About Us
SERVICE-INTEGRITY-QUALITY
As the State of New Hampshire’s premier forensic science facility, our team of highly trained forensic scientists utilizes state-of-the-art technology to analyze evidence with precision, integrity, and impartiality. The Forensic Laboratory plays a critical role in assisting criminal investigations, exonerating the innocent, and ensuring justice for all.
Accreditation
Accredited since 2005, the State Police Forensic Laboratory holds international accreditation through ANAB to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards for Forensic Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
History
The State Police Forensic Laboratory was established in 1937, conducting photography and fingerprint examinations. Those disciplines were expanded between the years of 1942-1944, documenting 167 investigations requiring examinations and performing analyses of more than 486 pieces of evidence. By the mid 1970’s the lab had moved to its current location in the Department of Safety Building and had six dedicated scientists and state-of-the-art instrumentation.
Over the years steps were made to increase the number of analysts and analyses performed at the lab. Instrumentation continued to improve as analysts went from bench work to court room testimonies. By 1995, the now team of 13 were conducting regular analyses in latent print, firearm, controlled drug, trace and serology, to include court room testimony, and responding to crime scenes. Further expansion in 2000 included the introduction of DNA analysis.
In 2004, the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health’s Toxicology laboratory, Breath Alcohol Calibration, and Department of Corrections Drug Testing Laboratory, were transferred to the Department of Safety, to join the division of State Police, Forensic Laboratory essentially doubling the size of the laboratory.
Since 2019, the NHSPFL is led by Laboratory Director Melisa Staples. Today, the lab employs approximately 50 forensic scientists, evidence technicians, and administrators, and is composed of eight specialized testing sections.