Grand Opening of Torrance Police Department’s New Forensics Laboratory 
On 30 October 2013, Torrance Police Department will be having the long awaited grand opening of the newly re-constructed Forensic Laboratory. Torrance Police Department’s Forensic Unit was civilianized on February 1, 2010. It is currently comprised of a Forensic Supervisor, two Senior Forensic Identification Specialists and four Forensic Identification Specialists (FIS), and our very own exclusive contract LASD Sr. Criminalist, who conducts DNA analysis for Torrance.
All Forensic personnel have at least a Bachelor’s degree; the supervisor has a Master’s degree in Forensic Science. All have additional training and/or experience prior to coming to Torrance. Many had training and experience from other agencies, prior to coming to Torrance.
The new Forensic Lab will enable the FIS’s to obtain further latent prints and DNA evidence by the use of various methods of chemical processing and tools for screening DNA in a controlled sterile environment. The lab has been well equipped with the latest state of the art laboratory equipment. All equipment was selected to maximize results and efficiency, thus allowing the unit to chemically process more evidence than ever before.
The equipment includes the Foster + Freeman Digital Imaging System, which will capture, calibrate and print a chemically developed latent print in a matter of minutes. A multi-cabinet Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue) chamber will enable the forensic unit to develop latent prints on non-porous items (e.g., glass and guns). Additionally, two counter top humidifying/DFO chambers, will be readily used for developing latent prints on porous evidence items (e.g., paper, and boxes). Adding to the “tools of the trade”, the Lab also has alternate light and laser sources, to view chemically enhanced prints, DNA, hairs and fibers.
Since the unit began civilianization on Feb 1, 2010, they have responded to nearly 4500 calls for service, collected nearly 1000 DNA samples, and collected latent prints in over 3000 cases. More than 117,000 latent print comparisons have been completed and more than 4000 latent prints identified. More than 5600 latent prints have been entered and searched in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) which is a fingerprint database housing prints from suspects arrested and prints collected from evidence items. There has been approximately 400% increase in the submission and identification of evidence since 2010 and there have been more than 500 people identified. The new laboratory will further add to the capabilities of the results obtained within the Forensic Unit.
To view the press release on the grand opening of the Forensics Lab click the following link:
http://www.torranceca.gov/TPD/Documents/TPD_Press_Release_-FIS_Lab_Opening.pdf
Forwarded By:
Torrance Police Department –
Community Affairs Division
310-618-6391 or 310-618-6392
www.YouTube.com/TPDCommAffairs
John Neu
Chief of Police
Torrance Police Department
Address/Location
Torrance Police Department
3300 Civic Center Dr
Torrance, CA 90503
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 310-328-3456
