Division of Scientific Services

Case Entry

Agencies will use DSS Laboratory Portal to enter the case information related to the evidence that will be submitted to the Division of Scientific Services (DSS). Essentially, the Portal case entry will replace the information that was previously entered on the Request for Analysis (RFA) form.

Agency Case Number and Case Officer
Evidence being submitted to the DSS
Individuals involved in the case
Offense Information
What type(s) of analysis is being requested
Paperwork that is associated with the case

Portal Case Entry Guide

Case Summary

The Case Entry process begins by creating a new Submission. Enter the basic information about the case such as agency case number, case officer and any general notes.

Evidence

Enter each item of evidence that will be delivered to DSS for examination. Evidence descriptions should be clear and consistent with the agency’s evidence records.

Individuals

Add individuals who are relevant to the submitted evidence and requested analysis. Available categories include Victim, Suspect, Arrested, Elimination, and Other.

Agencies do not need to enter every individual listed in their Records Management System. Only include individuals who are relevant to the evidence being submitted or the requested laboratory analysis.

Offense

Select the offense or offenses associated with the case. Multiple offenses may be entered.

When an exact offense is not available, select the closest applicable option and provide additional information in the comments field.

Request

Select each type of forensic analysis being requested. Create a separate request for each type of analysis the agency wants DSS to perform.

Attachments

Attach any case related documentation such as incident reports and warrants.

Relating Evidence

Assign each item of evidence to the appropriate analysis request. This identifies the type of examination the agency is requesting for each submitted item.

An item may need to be linked to more than one request when multiple types of analysis are needed.

Submission to Lab

Send your electronic case information to the Lab. Once the electronic case has been sent to the Lab, your agency can no longer make edits to the submission. Agencies can make multiple submissions for the same case.

Incomplete

Displays cases that have been started in the Portal but have not yet been submitted to DSS.

Cases in this tab may still be edited.

Submission

Displays electronic submissions that have been sent to DSS but have not yet been accepted by the laboratory.

These cases are generally awaiting the physical delivery and acceptance of evidence.

In Progress

Displays cases that have been electronically submitted and accepted by DSS.

Cases move to this tab after the physical evidence has been received and accepted by the laboratory.

Released

Displays cases for which laboratory reports have been approved and released.

Authorized agency users can access available reports through this tab.