The Forensic Science Laboratory provides professional forensic analysis of physical evidence on a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week basis. To assist in making this possible, the laboratory operates a mobile crime unit that will respond to any crime scene. The Forensic Laboratory Specialists collect, preserve and tag and analyze evidence, and document the scene with photographs, video tape and crime scene sketching.

In addition to processing the scene of the crime, the Forensic Laboratory Specialists can also provide assistance in crime scene shooting reconstruction and blood spatter interpretation.

The Sheriff's Laboratory provides crime scene processing to any requesting agency in the county.

As a solution to providing police agencies in our community with timely DNA testing services, Sheriff Michael Bouchard decided to enhance the capabilities of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Science Unit. He has embarked on an aggressive plan to build a state-of-the-art DNA laboratory. To ensure his success, Sheriff Bouchard sought out the extensive experience and resources of the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC). NFSTC is a nationally recognized leader in forensic science development services. NFSTC delivered a comprehensive DNA needs assessment and developed a strategic plan for implementing the DNA lab.

The project site consisted of a four thousand-square-foot section of existing office space within the Sheriff’s Office. Lab personnel, in conjunction with County engineers, developed laboratory construction plans. The building of the structure was managed by Auch Construction.

The Sheriff’s DNA lab acquired advanced statistical and sample-tracking software that will expand testing capabilities and reduce processing time. The lab completed DNA testing validation studies, a major milestone, and received accreditation in June of 2017.

The Drug Chemistry section of the laboratory analyzes samples submitted by various law enforcement agencies located in Oakland County and the surrounding areas. The Drug Chemistry section analyzes any substance seized in violation of laws regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of controlled or illegal drugs. In order to perform this type of analysis, the laboratory must possess both a valid Controlled Substance Registration Certificate, issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and a valid license issued by the State of Michigan Board of Pharmacy.

The samples are tested to determine whether or not a controlled substance or an illegal drug is present. Various plant materials (e.g., marijuana, "spice"), powders (e.g., cocaine, heroin), crystalline materials (e.g., methamphetamine, MDMA, "bath salts"), tablets, capsules and liquids are tested on a daily basis at the lab. In addition, the lab provides a quick response to customer needs by applying testing protocols for new drug substances like synthetic marijuana and various designer drugs and by developing processing plans in relation to medical marijuana.

To assist in their testing, drug chemists employ state-of-the art analytical instrumentation in the laboratory. This provides broad testing capabilities for prescription drugs and illegal substances. Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) help chemists by producing a spectral representation of a substance at its molecular level. Stereomicroscopic observations allow chemists to observe characteristics of marijuana plants too small to be seen by the unaided eye. Microcrystalline tests produce unique crystal structures when various drugs are exposed to chemical reagents such as platinic chloride or gold chloride.

Once the testing is complete, the drug chemist will author a report detailing the results of testing. They may be called upon to testify as an expert witness in a court of law regarding their findings.

The Firearms/Toolmarks section of the laboratory analyzes firearms ammunition components (fired bullets, fired cartridge cases) to identify if they were fired from a specific firearm. The barrel of a rifle or pistol is lined with spiral rifling called lands and grooves to increase the accuracy of a shot. The rifling from the firearm is transferred onto the bullet as it travels down the barrel. These lands and grooves contain individual characteristics that can be identified and matched to a specific firearm. During the firing process, the firing pin and the breach face of the firearm also leave individual characteristics on the primer of a fired cartridge case; these individual marks can be identified and matched to a specific firearm as well.

In addition to comparing ammunition components to firearms, firearms examiners conduct other examinations that usually include the following:

• Test-firing firearms to determine if they function as designed by the manufacturer
• Examining clothing and other items for gunshot residues and/or shot patterns in an attempt to determine a muzzle-to-garment distance
• Performing projectile trajectory analysis to determine the path of a bullet through space
• Conducting trigger-pull analysis
• Determining caliber and manufacturer of ammunition components and determining the manufacturer or manufacturers of firearms that may have fired a particular bullet or cartridge case
• Restoring serial numbers

An examiner utilizes IBIS (Integrated Ballistics Identification System) to link fired cartridge cases that may have been used in related crimes. IBIS is a computer system that acquires and stores images of a fired cartridge case found at a crime scene or obtained from test fires. IBIS looks for similarities between the images and ranks likely candidates for matches. The firearms examiner must confirm a match on a comparison microscope.

In addition to firearms-related examinations, an examiner will analyze toolmarks, footwear and tire tracks for distinguishing characteristics (e.g., wear patterns on shoe treads), to determine if they can be linked to a specific source. They attempt to match striations (scratches) or impressions found in the tool marks to tests made with the suspect tool(s).

The firearms examiners then author reports for all of their findings and can be called upon to give their expert opinion in a court of law.

The Latent Print Unit of the laboratory conducts scientific examinations in the area of friction ridge analysis. Friction ridge impressions can be left when a person touches an object with their hands or feet. The friction ridges that are invisible to the naked eye are called latent prints. The objects are processed by the analysts to reveal the latent prints and thus locate any ridge structure present and preserve them for future examinations.

Latent prints can be detected and developed using a variety of techniques such as chemicals, powders, lasers and alternate light sources. Detected latent prints can be compared to the known impressions of an individual, due to the uniqueness, permanence and arrangement of the friction ridges.

Latent prints can also be searched through a computer database. The Latent Print Unit operates and performs quality control on a Cogent AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System). This system aids in the search for known finger and palm impressions which are then used in the comparisons and individualizations of latent ridge structure. The analysts then author reports for all of their findings and can be called upon to give their expert opinion in a court of law.

The Toxicology Unit performs drug and alcohol testing on biological specimens submitted to the laboratory. Blood specimens from OWI cases are tested for the presence of ethanol, also known as drinking alcohol. RESULTS Program urine specimens from court-ordered drug and alcohol testing are screened for the presence of various drugs and EtG (ethanol metabolite). All testing performed utilizes state-of-the-art instrumentation.

Blood specimens are analyzed with headspace gas chromatography with flame ionization and mass spectrometer detectors (HS-GC/FID/MS) to determine blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Ethanol is the intoxicating agent found in alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and liquor. Any ethanol present in the blood sample is detected, identified, and quantitated using this instrumentation.

Urine specimens are analyzed with a Chemistry Analyzer utilizing immunoassay reagents to determine the presumptive presence of drugs and EtG. All specimens are also subjected to validity testing to ensure the sample has not been adulterated. The laboratory currently offers the following assays: amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates, cannabinoids/marijuana, ketamine, buprenorphine, methadone, oxycodone, 6-acetylmorphine (heroin metabolite), fentanyl and EtG. Cut-off levels, to determine whether a sample is presumptively positive or negative for each specific assay, comply with the Michigan Association of Drug Court Professionals (MADCP) and/or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Confirmatory testing is available upon request.

Analysts author reports detailing the results of testing.  They may be called upon to testify as an expert witness in a court of law regarding their findings.

• Biology Manual
• Biology Training Manual
• Chemistry Manual
• Chemistry Training Manual
• Firearms Manual
• Firearms Training Manual
• Latent Print Manual
• Latent Print Training Manual
• Quality Manual
• Toxicology Manual
• Toxicology Training Manual