Evidence Receiving Unit
The Evidence Receiving Unit serves as the initial point of contact for all agencies submitting evidence to the Division of Scientific Services (DSS). This unit plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of all evidence through proper intake procedures, secure storage, and continuous documentation of the chain of custody.
Evidence is submitted by a wide range of agencies, including local, state, and federal entities—with the majority of cases originating from local law enforcement and Connecticut State Police (CSP). In select circumstances, DSS has also provided specialized forensic testing for out-of-state agencies.
Most forensic cases submitted to the Division involve evidence for examination in the following key disciplines:
- Forensic Biology / DNA
- Toxicology and Controlled Substances
- Latent Print Analysis
- Firearms Examination
These cases typically arise from incidents such as sexual assaults, property crimes, homicides, and DUI-related offenses. Additionally, a substantial portion of DNA Unit testing involves processing convicted offender samples for entry into CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), which plays a vital role in linking offenders to unsolved crimes.
Through careful handling and coordination, the Evidence Receiving Unit ensures that every item submitted to the DSS is accounted for and preserved according to the highest forensic standards.