An official website of the Cuyahoga County government. Here’s how you know
Cuyahoga County Forensic Science Lab Passes Full-Accreditation Inspection
Contacts:
Christopher Harris: (216) 443-7157; cbharris@cuyahogacounty.us
Regional Forensic Science Laboratory Fully Accredited; Firearms Department enters 2000th NIBIN Lead
CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson today announced the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, located in the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, passed its full accreditation inspection from the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). ANAB is the largest accreditation body in North America. The accreditation covers the laboratory’s Firearms & Toolmarks Department, which underwent their first inspection since the department began operating in 2017.
“I am very proud to announce the continued full accreditation of the regional crime laboratory. Accreditation by ANAB is the greatest validation to the high-quality work that our laboratory scientists perform in the service of justice,” said Dr. Gilson. “To come through the inspection without even one deficiency citation is an amazing accomplishment.”
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, ANAB used remote technology to conduct their assessment. The assessment included an audit of the following Regional Forensic Science Departments:
Additionally, the Firearms & Toolmarks Department entered its 2000th lead into the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN), a database including digital images of cartridge casing evidence. A NIBIN Lead occurs when new evidence entered into the database is linked to evidence previously entered into the database. This powerful crime-fighting tool can determine if a firearm has been used in multiple crimes. The plaque is awarded by Ultra Electronics Forensic Technology, the vendor that developed NIBIN.
*-Through July 2020
Christopher Harris: (216) 443-7157; cbharris@cuyahogacounty.us
Regional Forensic Science Laboratory Fully Accredited; Firearms Department enters 2000th NIBIN Lead
CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson today announced the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, located in the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, passed its full accreditation inspection from the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). ANAB is the largest accreditation body in North America. The accreditation covers the laboratory’s Firearms & Toolmarks Department, which underwent their first inspection since the department began operating in 2017.
“I am very proud to announce the continued full accreditation of the regional crime laboratory. Accreditation by ANAB is the greatest validation to the high-quality work that our laboratory scientists perform in the service of justice,” said Dr. Gilson. “To come through the inspection without even one deficiency citation is an amazing accomplishment.”
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, ANAB used remote technology to conduct their assessment. The assessment included an audit of the following Regional Forensic Science Departments:
- Trace Evidence
- Drug Chemistry
- Fingerprints
- Toxicology
- DNA
- Firearms & Toolmarks
Additionally, the Firearms & Toolmarks Department entered its 2000th lead into the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN), a database including digital images of cartridge casing evidence. A NIBIN Lead occurs when new evidence entered into the database is linked to evidence previously entered into the database. This powerful crime-fighting tool can determine if a firearm has been used in multiple crimes. The plaque is awarded by Ultra Electronics Forensic Technology, the vendor that developed NIBIN.
| Firearms Laboratory Stats (CCRFSL) - NIBIN Leads | |
| 2020 | 565* |
| 2019 | 543 |
| 2018 | 465 |
| 2017 | 524 |
*-Through July 2020
