A Secure Storage Facility
Our laboratory is housed in a stand alone campus and the Evidence Storage Room houses all criminal evidence from casework under secure conditions; only authorized laboratory personnel have access to the Evidence Storage Room. In addition; the MUFSC laboratory stores non-report sexual assault cases for at least two years or until the criminal case is activated.
Preparation Laboratory
Evidentiary samples such as bone, liquid blood and tissue that require the use of a Biosafety Cabinet are processed in the Preparation Laboratory. Extraction procedures and preparation for quantitation and amplification procedures are performed in the Preparation Laboratory either manually or with automated robotic instruments. Sample extracts are securely stored here until notification from the submitting law enforcement agency for return.
PCR Laboratory
This laboratory has been specifically designed for DNA analysis using PCR amplification and meets the ANAB accreditation standard. Due to the fact that millions of copies of DNA are generated from an initial sample, contamination is always a concern. Our PCR Laboratory has negative air pressure, which means none of the air can escape into the hallway and contamination is prevented.
The Real Time PCR Quantitation Instrument is located in the PCR Laboratory; quantitation is the process of measuring the amount of human DNA isolated from evidence.
Analyst Workroom
ANAB Accredited DNA Laboratory
Our Forensic DNA Laboratory, a WV Criminal Justice Agency, is accredited by ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). We are an ISO/IEC 17025 compliant testing laboratory. Our accreditation by ANAB demonstrates compliance with federally mandated quality assurance standards for Forensic DNA analysis of casework evidence and database samples.
