After a thorough, on-site reaccreditation assessment of the Scientific Services Bureau crime laboratory, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department received two new accreditation certificates.  For the first time, the scope of accreditation includes Crime Scene Investigation and Breath Alcohol Instrument Calibration disciplines.

The addition of these two new disciplines solidify the bureau’s status as the largest full-service, fully-accredited municipal crime laboratory in the United States.

The assessment took place during the first week of March, 2015, and was conducted by 23 technical assessors and one lead assessor from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board.  The assessors visited all eight of the laboratory’s facilities, reviewed case records, examined records for instruments, equipment, standards, controls, and reagents; observed analysts conducting analyses, reviewed quality management records, and interviewed staff.

At a presentation event on Tuesday, September 29, 2015, in front of the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, which houses one of the laboratory’s eight facilities, Sheriff Jim McDonnell accepted the two accreditation certificates from Ralph “Bud” Keaton, of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board.

McDonnell remarked on the confidence which proven quality and accreditation provide. “This accreditation affirms our long standing commitment to providing the highest quality investigative services for 200 law enforcement agencies and ensuring that the Los Angeles County criminal justice system is best served,” he said.

“On behalf of the Sheriff’s Department, I would like to thank the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board for this great honor.  Thank you to my colleagues at the DA’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office.  And, thank you to LAPD’s Forensic Science Division and Cal State LA’s Criminalistics Program for their support and partnership in sharing the crime lab facility with our Department.  Lastly, thank you to the 300-plus department staff members for their dedication and diligent work,” he said.

District Attorney Jackie Lacey, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and Head Deputy Public Defender Jill Thomas, Law Office of the Los Angeles County Public Defender, both offered key words on the vital trust held in forensic investigation, and the obligation held to provide the highest quality of service to the criminal justice system and the citizens we serve.

Chief Jim Smith, Monterey Park Police Department, President of the Los Angeles County Police Chief’s Association attended as a special guest.