NFLS UPDATES IN FORENSIC SERVICES

Due to a steady increase in demand at National Forensic Laboratory Services (NFLS), several administrative changes were recently introduced to help ensure sustainable service delivery. DIARY DATE EXTENSIONS FOR BIOLOGY SERVICES Recently, you received a notification of the new service standard in Biology Services. It states that the Biology Report for routine biology service requests is expected to be completed within 65 days from the date of exhibit receipt, about 80% of the time. What does this mean for you?

• The service standard will appear on your Submission Authorization Receipt, which is sent to you by the Forensic Assessment Centre (FAC).

• Ensure you notify FAC of trial dates and any changes to trial dates.

• You will no longer be notified of diary date extensions for Biology Services; however, FAC will provide you with the last quarter’s average turnaround time in biology‐related service requests.

• Diary date extensions will continue to be issued for services related to Firearms & Toolmark Identification, Toxicology, and Trace Evidence.

EVIDENCE MANAGEMENT SUBMISSION RECEIPT NFLS is no longer issuing an e‐mail notification acknowledging receipt of exhibits.

What does this mean for you?

• To determine if the exhibits you sent were delivered to NFLS, refer to information found on the courier waybill.

• Exhibit continuity will be established and maintained while in the possession of NFLS.

REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS At times, our Reporting Scientists in Biology Services have reached out to investigators to suggest additional exhibits for examination. Moving forward, they will be focused on completing existing casework and will no longer be providing this extra service. The FAC is your single point of contact for all submission requests. They collaborate with all areas at NFLS and are well positioned to assist you in support of police investigations and criminal proceedings. Of course, our Reporting Scientists remain available to discuss their conclusions and laboratory findings, as needed. Sincerely, R.O. Gosselin, Insp. Acting Director Forensic Science Operations National Forensic Laboratory Services