Crime Lab Bureau Introduction

There are three crime laboratories within the Crime Laboratory Bureau. Labs are located in Madison, Milwaukee, and Wausau.

Laboratory staff examines questioned materials and compares them with known standards. Some examples are linking DNA, fingerprints, bullets, or fibers from a crime scene, or identifying a drug or blood alcohol level. Results might confirm information already gathered or change the focus an investigation to a different direction.

Governmental officials authorized to request field assistance:

Who can request lab services?

The crime lab participates in a criminal investigation only at the request of authorized governmental officials (see table above). Services are also available to the defendant in a felony action upon his or her request and with the approval of the presiding judge (Wis. Stat. §165.79(1)). Labs may decline any matter not involving a potential felony charge.

The labs do not accept cases from the general public nor do they participate in civil cases except as provided by law.

Where can I get more information about how evidence is analyzed?

More detail about the kinds of work performed by the labs is available here.