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Forensic Sciences

Modern forensic technology affords law enforcement crime-fighting opportunities never presented before. The District Attorney’s Office realizes the potential of using DNA and other forensics evidence to identify, capture, and prosecute violent offenders and has established a renowned Forensic Sciences Section to help reach that potential.

Comprised of experienced deputy district attorneys, the Forensic Sciences Section is committed to the advancement of law enforcement’s DNA analysis capabilities, the utilization of forensic evidence to solve and prosecute cold cases, and the prosecution of medical providers who are criminally liable for a patient’s death. Forensic Sciences prosecutors also advise other deputy district attorneys on trial strategy, case law and analysis of expert opinions in any cases where DNA evidence is introduced.

Crime Lab Advisory Board

Using DNA technology, law enforcement has the real potential to catch rapists, murderers, and other violent criminals before they become serial attackers. Because local crime laboratories have been historically underfunded, however, law enforcement cannot take advantage of this 21st-century crime-fighting tool.

As a result, the District Attorney’s Office – recognizing that forensic science is a core public safety issue – has created the Crime Lab Advisory Board to ensure the continued improvement and quality of forensic services in Los Angeles County. The Board, chaired by the District Attorney, includes representatives from victim’s rights groups, law enforcement, the scientific and academic communities, and the legal community. Its goal is to help with funding and policy formulation for existing crime labs in the City and County of Los Angeles, as well as to ensure that the soon-to-be-built Los Angeles Regional Crime Lab is a state-of-the-art facility with adequate lab space, proper equipment, and qualified staff to meet DNA analysis needs.

Cold Case Task Force

Deputy district attorneys assigned to the Cold Case Task Force work with local law enforcement agencies, dedicating resources to a review of unsolved homicides. Prosecutors help select evidence for DNA analysis or other testing to solve these cold cases and then take them to trial. Through cold case tracking, previously unidentified murderers have been brought to justice.

Medicolegal

The Forensic Sciences Section prosecutes medical providers whose actions or inaction make them criminally liable for a patient’s death. Prosecutors also work with the state Medical Board, county Health Services and others to target unlicensed medical facilities who are providing dangerously inadequate care.

Post-Conviction DNA Testing

California Penal Code Section 1405 allows convicted persons to petition the courts for DNA testing of evidence which might prove their innocence. Prosecutors in the Forensic Sciences Section work cooperatively with defense attorneys to obtain police reports, information on the existence of evidence, and District Attorney case files for appropriate cases. In December 2001, the Superior Court in Los Angeles released the first inmate in California under this statute.

Convicted Offender DNA Collection Program

To ensure that DNA samples are taken from all criminals convicted of eligible felony offenses in Los Angeles County, attorneys in the Forensic Sciences Section have created protocols and court orders which are used countywide. Prosecutors are currently working with officials throughout the County to automate the collection of DNA samples in appropriate cases. When those samples are analyzed, their DNA information is entered into the state’s Convicted Offender Database, where it can be matched with DNA evidence from crime scenes to identify culprits.

Sexual Assault Response Team (S.A.R.T.) Program

Working with the Coroner’s Office, deputy district attorneys have created a program for postmortem sexual assault examinations in Los Angeles County. S.A.R.T. nurses now respond to every death that appears to have been sexually motivated. Nurses use special medical devices and photography to gather evidence of sexual assault to better inform the medical examiners and prosecutors about these homicides.

DNA Fingerprint, Unsolved Crime & Innocence Protection Act

The DNA Fingerprint, Unsolved Crime and Innocence Protection Act will enable California law enforcement  to have the most advanced tool available to solve, prevent and fight crime. The initiative immediately requires all convicted felons to provide a non-invasive DNA sample, which does not require a blood sample (DNA is collected with a simple mouth swab) for inclusion in a statewide database.

It also allows local agencies to collect DNA from those arrested for rape and murder. In 2009, all individuals arrested for felony offenses will be tested. Funding for the expanded testing is paid for through a small increase in penalty assessments for criminal violations.

Experts assert that a DNA Fingerprint provides the most conclusive proof of identity giving law enforcement the ability to solve crimes, convict the guilty and exonerate the wrongfully accused.

The DNA Fingerprint test provides nothing more than identification. There is absolutely no genetic information or other personal data that can be taken from the test.

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Forensic Sciences Section
Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office
201 S. Figueroa Rm. 1617
Los Angeles, CA. 90012
Phone (213) 580-3257

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Site updated: 04 Feb 2011
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