ADFS News

Death Investigation Annual Report 2011
posted 11/07/2012

The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences has released an annual Death Investigation Report for 2011. This report details the number of deaths, cause and manner of the deaths and general statistics for Death Investigation in the State of Alabama for the fiscal year 2011.

To read or download the Official Report, please click on the link.

Message from Director Michael Sparks – Reopening of Tuscaloosa evidence drop-off site
posted 10/03/2012

Beginning October 23, 2012, ADFS will staff the Tuscaloosa Lab with a Drug Evidence Intake Technician two days a week for the convenience of any submitting law enforcement agencies located in the central-western region of Alabama. Drug evidence may be submitted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday. Evidence intake will stop each Tuesday and Thursday at 3:00 p.m.. This evidence drop-off site will intake drug evidence only.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me at 334-821-6255 or the Hoover Laboratory Director Mark Pevey at 205-982-9292.

Read the Official Memo.

Coroners Training 2012
posted 08/13/2012

The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences to host Alabama Coroner’s Training Course October 1st and 2nd 2012.

This comprehensive training is designed to acquaint newly elected Coroners and Deputy Coroners with some of most prevalent areas of Death Investigations.
Seasoned Coroners and Deputy Coroners should find this course a valuable refresher. With classroom and practical elements, this course is seen as a valuable tool in the education and professional growth of those individuals who choose to serve mankind through the investigation of deaths. (Read more)

Click on the attached flyer for details and registration: Coroner's Training Registration Info

Customer Notification
posted 10/01/2011

ADFS Customer Notification

Message from Director Michael Sparks – Laboratory Closings
posted 06/01/2011

With regret I must inform you that the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences (ADFS) Laboratories in Florence, Jacksonville, and Dothan will be closing July 1, 2011. These three laboratories will no longer receive evidence after June 30, 2011. In addition, as of the same date ADFS will no longer provide general crime scene assistance to local law enforcement agencies. The only exception will be for specialty crime scene services such as bullet trajectory and blood spatter interpretation, with prior approval from the appropriate Biology or Firearms Discipline Chief and/or the Director. For an assistance request for specialty crime scene services such as bullet trajectory and blood spatter interpretation please contact (205) 288-6503. If that number is unavailable please contact (205) 901-7669.

Any agencies that submit evidence for analyses that are affected by these closings can submit their drug evidence at any ADFS laboratory. ADFS recommends that affected agencies... (more)

Recall of Antemortem Specimen Submission Kits
posted 04/06/2011

Antemortem specimens submission kits distributed by the Department have been recalled by the manufacturer. The Department has sent notice of this recall to all law enforcement agencies in Alabama with instructions to return any unexpired kits to Sirchie Fingerprint Laboratories and to dispose any expired kits. View the recall notice.

The affected kits will be identified with the Reorder Number ALDWI200 and Lot Numbers 111039 or 050980. Kits with these lot numbers but with a suffix "A" or "RC" have already been corrected and may be used. Postmortem kits are not subject to this recall. Read more about this recall.

DNA 101: Demystifying CODIS and DNA Profiles for Victim Service Providers
posted 03/15/2011

Learn about the forensic DNA testing process and how forensic DNA profiles are generated from evidence and matched through the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Hear how CODIS functions in forensic crime laboratories in the United States, its architecture, and eligibility requirements for DNA samples (offender, crime scene, missing persons), and learn about the various types of DNA analysis that can be performed by crime labs. Concerns about genetic privacy, including what information forensic DNA profiles contain and who is authorized by federal law to have access to the national database will also be discussed.

To watch the webinar, please click here.
This webinar is presented by The National Center for Victims of Crime.
**Please note that Java is required to view the presentation and can be downloaded here.

Requests for DUI Breath Testing Data Pack
posted 02/02/2011

DUI Data Pack request must be submitted in writing directly to the Implied Consent Laboratory at 168 Chandalar Place Drive, Pelham, AL 35124; or faxed to (205) 663-2167.

The requesting party should notate how they are affiliated with the case, i.e. Subject or attorney representing subject. To assist in processing the request a copy of the "Certificate of Breath Alcohol Analysis" should be enclosed at the time of submission.

If you have any additional questions, please send us an email.

ADFS Arrestee Information, New Law!
posted 09/30/2010

As of October 1, 2010, local law enforcement throughout Alabama are now authorized to collect a biological sample for Forensic DNA identity testing from individuals arrested for all felony offenses and sex offenses. In addition to all felony offenses, there are three (3) misdemeanor arrests that also qualify for DNA collection as sexual offenses.

The three qualifying misdemeanors are Sexual Abuse 2nd degree, Sexual Misconduct, and Indecent Exposure.

Materials to accomplish the collection of these samples are being furnished by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences to County Jails throughout... ( more)

Welcome Message from Director Michael Sparks
posted 09/22/2010

Welcome to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences (ADFS) webpage. This site is dedicated to providing information to our customers and the citizens of the State of Alabama. The mission of ADFS is the application of science and medicine to the purposes of justice. The pursuit of this mission includes the unbiased analysis of evidence that is generated during criminal investigations.

ADFS is uniquely positioned in the justice system of Alabama. This Agency is... ( more)