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Tri County Regional Forensic Laboratory
Laboratory Services Guide
Introduction
In February of 2008, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office entered into a cooperative agreement with Wright and Sherburne Counties to make possible a Tri County Regional Forensic Laboratory. This agreement combines the resources of the three counties in order to provide forensic laboratory services to its citizens. Through a collaborative agreement with Hamline University, the laboratory is currently working with students who are interested in a career in forensic science. Future plans include laboratory accreditation and DNA analysis.
Forensic Services
The Tri County Regional Forensic Laboratory offers services to local law enforcement agencies within the counties of Anoka, Sherburne, and Wright in the following forensic disciplines:
Latent Prints
- Chemical development of latent prints to include DFO, Ninhydrin, and Physical Developer
- Brush & Powder techniques
- Sticky side powder development
- Alternate Light Source (ALS) examinations
- Macro photography
- Ridge detail comparison and identification
- Cyanoacrylate (Superglue) fuming
- Midwest Automated Fingerprint Identification Network (MAFIN)
Drug Chemistry
- Preliminary testing of street drugs
- Confirmatory testing of street drugs
- Identification of pharmaceutical products
- Purity determination on cocaine and methamphetamine
- Weight and quantity determinations
- Blood Alcohol Content Testing for blood kits and urine kits
General Guidelines for Evidence Submission
Evidence Condition: Before evidence is received into the laboratory, it must meet the following criteria:
- All items of evidence must be individually packaged
- Each package must be sealed
- Seals must be initialed and dated across the seal
- Each package must contain the following:
- Case number
- Evidence item number
Evidence Submission: Lockers are provided for evidence submitted by Anoka County Sheriff’s Office personnel only. All other evidence will be accepted in-person between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Prohibited Items:
- Explosives
- Chemicals
- Gasoline, flammable liquids, or solvents
- Syringes with attached needles
Hamline University Student Internship Program
The Tri County Regional Forensic Laboratory provides a unique collaborative agreement between the laboratory and Hamline University. The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office and the Tri County Regional Forensic Laboratory are excited at the prospects of this agreement and are proud to be one of the first in the nation to implement this type of partnership. This agreement offers Hamline students an opportunity for observation, as well as hands-on instruction in the laboratory and at the crime scene.
Forensic Laboratory Advisory Board
The mission of the Forensic Laboratory Advisory Board is to ensure the quality and integrity of forensic science services provided by laboratories, facilities or entities that conduct forensic analysis on physical evidence in connection with criminal actions as set forth in Minnesota Statutes 299C.156. The Board is a twelve-member panel, including 2 members of our staff. For more information about the board, click here.