CPFFCL Attachments

Attachment Table of Contents
Attachment

Page

Attachment A: CPFFCL survey and screenshots of web instrument

2

Attachment B: BJS authorizing legislation

26

Attachment C: 60-day federal register notice

35

Attachment D: 30-day federal register notice

38

Attachment E: Cognitive interview report

44

Attachment F: Survey invitation letter

154

Attachment G: Endorsement letter

156

Attachment H: Survey invitation email

158

Attachment I: CPFFCL flyer

160

Attachment J: ASCLD survey launch announcement

162

Attachment K: First reminder email and postcard

164

Attachment L: Second reminder email and letter

168

Attachment M: Third reminder email and letter

171

Attachment N: Fourth reminder letter

174

Attachment O: Fifth reminder email and postcard

176

Attachment P: Sixth reminder email from ASCLD

180

Attachment Q: Telephone follow-up scripts for data quality

182

Attachment R: Telephone follow-up scripts for nonresponse

184

Attachment S: Critical items list

196

Attachment T: Critical items survey letter

199

Attachment U: Critical items email

201

Attachment V: End-of-study letter

203

Attachment W: End-of-study email

205

Attachment X: Completion thank you email

207

Attachment A: CPFFCL survey and screenshots of web
instrument

Form CPFFCL-24

OMB No. 1121-0269: Approval Expires MM/DD/YYYY

2024 Census of
Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories
U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics
Acting as collection agent: RTI International

Please use this form to provide information on behalf of the following agency:
[FILL AGENCY NAME HERE]
If the agency name printed above is incorrect, please call us at 1-877-834-7063.
Survey Instructions:
• Submit this form using one of the following three methods:
o Online: www.bjsforensics.org
Agency ID:
Password:

•
•
•
•
•

o E-mail: bjsforensics@rti.org
o Mail: Use the enclosed postage-paid envelope
Please do not leave any items blank.
If the answer to a question is none or zero, write “0” in the space provided. When exact numeric answers
are not available, please provide estimates and mark the estimate check box.
Use blue or black ink and print as neatly as possible.
Use an “X” when marking an answer in a box.
When a question includes “during 2024” or “in 2024”, report for the period of January 1 through December
31, 2024.

Indicate who completed this form. We are only collecting this information to identify a point of contact for
questions related to the survey responses. This information will not be shared or published.
Name:
Last Name

First Name

MI

Title:

—

Phone:
Area Code Number

Extension

E-mail:
Agency
Website:
If you have any questions, call RTI toll-free at 1-877-834-7063, or send an e-mail to bjsforensics@rti.org. If you have general project-related
questions, please contact Matt Durose of BJS at 202-598-0295 or matt.durose@usdoj.gov.

Burden Statement
Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control
Number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 90 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources,
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate, or any other aspects of this
collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, 999 North Capital
Street, NE, Washington, DC 20531. The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended (34 USC 10132), authorizes this information collection. Although this survey is
voluntary, we urgently need your cooperation to make the results comprehensive, accurate, and timely. We greatly appreciate your assistance.
BJS is conducting this data collection under Title 34 United States Code, Section 10134. By law, BJS will only use the information for statistical purposes and must protect the confidentiality of
information identifiable to a private person. [Title 34 U.S.C. Sections 10134 and 10231]

1

Eligibility
As of December 31, 2024, if your laboratory meets the following definition of a publicly funded forensic crime
laboratory, you are eligible to complete this survey:
1) Your forensic crime laboratory is a government or public agency and
2) Your forensic crime laboratory employs one or more full-time analysts whose principal function is
the examination of physical or digital evidence in criminal or investigative matters and that provides
reports and testimony to courts of law with respect to such evidence.
This definition excludes laboratories that engage exclusively in:
• Evidence collection and documentation, such as latent print recovery and development, crime
scene response, and photography; or
• Analysis of digital evidence and perform no other forensic functions.
Select the option that applies to your laboratory:
Yes, my laboratory meets the above definition. Please complete this survey.
No, my laboratory does not meet the above definition. You do not need to complete this survey.
Please return this survey using the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
My laboratory no longer exists as of December 31, 2024. You do not need to complete this
survey. Please return this survey using the enclosed postage-paid envelope.

Section A: Organization
A1. As of December 31, 2024, was your laboratory part of a multi-laboratory system? A multilaboratory system is defined as two or more separate laboratory entities that are overseen by a single
organization.
Yes → Go to A2 and please answer the remainder of the survey questions for your entire
multi-laboratory system. If you are unable to do so, please call RTI toll-free at
1-877-834-7063 or send an e-mail to bjsforensics@rti.org.
No → SKIP to A3
A2. As of December 31, 2024, how many distinct laboratories were in your multi-laboratory
system? Include your own laboratory in this total.
laboratories
A3. What level of government operates your laboratory? Mark one.
City, borough, village, or town
County or parish
State
Federal
A4. Which of the following best describes the agency that has administrative oversight of your
laboratory? Administrative oversight is defined as staffing and budgetary oversight. Mark one.
Law enforcement entity (e.g., department or division of public safety)
Department or division of forensic science
Government attorney’s office (e.g., district attorney)
Public health agency (e.g., department or division of public health, medical examiner office)
Other (please specify)

2

A5. Does your laboratory have oversight from a forensic science board or commission?
Yes
No → SKIP to A7
A6. Does the forensic science board or commission have a regulatory or advisory role? Mark all
that apply.
Regulatory role
Advisory role
A7. As of December 31, 2024, did your laboratory have a Laboratory Information Management
System (LIMS)? LIMS is a computerized system used to manage, compile, or track requests and/or
evidence. If your laboratory’s LIMS is only deployed for certain disciplines, or is being upgraded or
installed, please select “Yes.”
Yes
No → SKIP to A9
A8. During 2024, did your laboratory use LIMS for any of the following functions? Mark yes or no
for each function.
Function
a. Tracking by item
b. Tracking by request
c. Tracking by law enforcement case number
d. Tracking by laboratory case number
e. Tracking by criminal offense (e.g., homicide or robbery)
f. Tracking by criminal case status (e.g., open, closed, cleared
designation, pending court dates, and/or final disposition)
g. Calculating turnaround time by item
h. Calculating average turnaround time by section
i. Calculating average turnaround time for the overall laboratory
j. Interfacing with laboratory instrumentation
k. Monitoring backlog
l. Documenting chain of custody
m. Generating reports (e.g., creating reports, inputting data into
report templates)
n. Paperless reporting (e.g., entering records directly into a digital
device)
o. Generating discovery
A9. During 2024, did your laboratory use any of the following databases?
Mark yes or no for each database.
Databases
Yes
a. Paint Data Query (PDQ)
b. National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN)
c. Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)
d. Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
e. Next Generation Identification (NGI), formerly Integrated
Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS)
f. Ignitable Liquids Reference Collection (ILRC)

3

Yes

No

No

Section B: Budget
If your laboratory is part of a multi-laboratory system, please remember to answer for your entire multilaboratory system.
B1. On what month, day, and year does your laboratory’s 2024 budget year begin and end?
Start date:

/

/

/

End date:

MM /DD /Y Y Y Y

/

MM /DD /Y Y Y Y

B2. During your laboratory’s 2024 budget year, did your laboratory receive funding from any of the
following sources? Mark yes or no for each funding source.
Funding source
Yes
No
a. Asset forfeitures
b. Fees for case processing and other services
c. Federal grants
d. State grants
e. City, county, or local grants
f. Donations from organizations, families, or individuals
B3. What was the total operating budget for your laboratory’s 2024 budget year? If you do not know
the total operating budget, please provide your best estimate.
Include:
• Funding received from all sources, including any asset forfeitures, fees, grants, donations, or other
revenue sources.
• Personnel budgets.
• Outsourcing costs associated with contracting or procuring services from another public, private,
commercial, or university laboratory to accomplish laboratory functions.
Do not include:
• Funding for building construction or major equipment purchases, defined as nonexpendable items
that have a useful life of more than two years and cost more than $5,000.

$

,

,

.00

Check if estimate:

B4. What were your laboratory’s total expenditures for the following categories during your 2024
budget year? If you do not know your laboratory’s expenditures, please provide your best estimate.
Expenditures
Expenditure category
a. Equipment – total amount spent on nonexpendable
items that have a useful life of more than two years and
cost more than $5,000

$

b. Supplies – total amount spent on materials that are
expendable, consumed during the course of the year,
and cost less than $5,000

$

c. Outsourcing – total amount spent on outsourcing costs

$

,

,

.00

,

.00

,

.00

,

.00

Check if estimate:

,
Check if estimate:

,
Check if estimate:

d. Training – total amount spent on training and
professional development

4

$

,
Check if estimate:

Section C: Staffing
If your laboratory is part of a multi-laboratory system, please remember to answer for your entire multilaboratory system.
C1. As of December 31, 2024, how many full-time and part-time employees did your laboratory have?
Include managerial staff, clerical or administrative staff, analysts or examiners (in-training and fullperformance), crime scene technicians, evidence technicians, medicolegal death investigators, technical
and quality support staff, and any other staff.
Full-time employees (works at least 35 hours/week)
Part-time employees (works less than 35 hours/week)
C2. As of December 31, 2024, how many full-time employees, part-time employees, and position
vacancies did your laboratory have in the following categories? Report each employee in only one
category, based on primary function.

Primary function

Full-time
(works at
least 35
hours/week)

Part-time
(works less
than 35
hours/week)

Vacancies

My laboratory
did not have any staff in
this category as of
December 31, 2024

a. Managerial staff
b. Clerical or
administrative staff
c. Analysts or examiners
in-training
d. Analysts or examiners
full-performance
e. Crime scene
technicians
f. Evidence technicians
g. Medicolegal death
investigators
h. Technical and quality
support staff (e.g.,
laboratory technicians,
quality specialists)
i. Other staff
C3. How many hires and separations of personnel occurred within your laboratory in 2024?
Number of full-time
Number of part-time
Hires and separations
personnel
personnel
a. Hires
b. Separations (e.g., voluntary, involuntary,
and retirements)

5

Check if estimate:

Check if estimate:

Check if estimate:

Check if esitmate:

C4. What are reasons that staff left your laboratory in 2024? Mark all that apply.
Voluntary resignations
Retirements
Layoffs
Involuntary separations or dismissals (excluding layoffs)
Other (please specify)

There were no separations (e.g., voluntary, involuntary, or retirements) during this time.

Section D: Workload
If your laboratory is part of a multi-laboratory system, please remember to answer for your entire multilaboratory system.
This section asks about your laboratory’s workload and turnaround time. If you have a Laboratory
Information Management System (LIMS), please use it to assist with responding to these questions
when possible.
For the purpose of this survey, please use the following definitions as you answer the questions in this section:
• Request – a submission of physical evidence for analysis to a forensic discipline unit from a single
criminal investigation or case. A case may result in more than one request. For example, a case may
include requests for toxicology, digital and multimedia evidence, and forensic biology that would be
considered three separate requests. Some laboratories refer to a request as a case request, forensic
service request, client request, or assignment. A request may contain more than one item of evidence.
• Outsourced request – a request sent outside of your laboratory to another public laboratory or to a
private, commercial, or university laboratory.
• Median turnaround time – median number of days from when the evidence for a request was
received by your laboratory to when the report is issued for requests completed during 2024. Only
include requests completed within your laboratory and exclude outsourced requests. Round median to
the nearest whole day. If evidence or items from a single request were received on different days,
please use the day that the first piece of evidence or item was received as the starting point for the
median turnaround time.
D1. Is your laboratory able to calculate median turnaround time using the above definition?
Yes → SKIP to D5 on page 7
No
D2. When your laboratory calculates median turnaround time, does your laboratory use the
starting point as defined above? Starting point is defined as the day the first piece of evidence
or item from a request was received by your laboratory.
Yes
No (please specify)

D3. When your laboratory calculates median turnaround time, does your laboratory use the end
point as defined above? End point is defined as the day the report was issued for a completed
request.
Yes
No (please specify)

6

D4. When your laboratory calculates median turnaround time, does your laboratory exclude
outsourced requests?
Yes
No
D5. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with controlled substances (e.g.,
seized drugs)?
Yes
No → SKIP to D8
D6. Please provide the following counts for your laboratory’s work with controlled substances.
Do not include outsourced requests in your counts or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to your
laboratory in 2024
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024

,

new requests

Check if estimate:

,

requests completed

Check if estimate:

c. Total number of pending requests that were
,
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January 1, 2025 Check if estimate:

d. Median turnaround time for requests completed in
2024

,

pending requests

days

Check if estimate:
Check if unable to calculate
using the provided definition:

D7. During 2024, how many requests for controlled substances (e.g., seized drugs) were
outsourced by your laboratory?

,

outsourced requests

Check if estimate:

D8. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with toxicology?
This includes:
• Antemortem BAC analysis
• Antemortem drug analysis
• Postmortem analysis
Yes
No → SKIP to D12 on page 8
D9. What specific functions with toxicology did your laboratory perform?
Mark yes or no for each function.
Function
Yes
No
a. Antemortem BAC analysis
b. Antemortem drug analysis
c. Postmortem analysis

7

D10. Please provide the following counts for your laboratory’s work with toxicology. Do not
include outsourced requests in your counts or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to your
laboratory in 2024
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January 1, 2025

d. Median turnaround time for requests completed in
2024

,

new requests

Check if estimate:

,

requests completed

Check if estimate:

,

pending requests

Check if estimate:

,

days

Check if estimate:
Check if unable to calculate
using the provided definition:

D11. During 2024, how many requests for toxicology were outsourced by your laboratory?

,

outsourced requests

Check if estimate:

D12. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with trace analysis?
This includes:
• Chemical unknown analysis
• Explosives analysis
• Fiber examination
• Fire debris analysis
• Gunshot residue testing
• Hair examination
• Paint analysis
• Glass analysis
• Physical match/fracture match
Yes
No → SKIP to D16 on page 9
D13. What specific functions with trace analysis did your laboratory perform?
Mark yes or no for each function.
Function
Yes
No
a. Chemical unknown analysis
b. Explosives analysis
c. Fiber examination
d. Fire debris analysis
e. Gunshot residue testing
f. Hair examination
g. Paint analysis
h. Glass analysis
i. Physical match/fracture match
j. Other trace analysis (if yes, please specify)

8

D14. Please provide the following counts for your laboratory’s work with trace analysis. Do not
include outsourced requests in your counts or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to your
laboratory in 2024
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January 1, 2025

d. Median turnaround time for requests completed in
2024

,

new requests

Check if estimate:

,

requests completed

Check if estimate:

,

pending requests

Check if estimate:

,

days

Check if estimate:
Check if unable to calculate
using the provided definition:

D15. During 2024, how many requests for trace analysis were outsourced by your laboratory?

,

outsourced requests

Check if estimate:

D16. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with impressions?
This includes:
• Footwear examination
• Tire tread examination
Yes
No → SKIP to D20 on page 10
D17. What specific functions with impressions did your laboratory perform? Mark yes or no for
each function.
Function
Yes
No
a. Footwear examination
b. Tire tread examination
D18. Please provide the following counts for your laboratory’s work with impressions. Do not
include outsourced requests in your counts or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to your
laboratory in 2024
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January 1, 2025

d. Median turnaround time for requests completed in
2024

9

,

new requests

Check if estimate:

,

requests completed

Check if estimate:

,

pending requests

Check if estimate:

,

days

Check if estimate:
Check if unable to calculate
using the provided definition:

D19. During 2024, how many requests for impressions were outsourced by your laboratory?

,

outsourced requests

Check if estimate:

D20. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with firearms, toolmarks, or
ammunition?
Yes
No → SKIP to D24
D21. What specific functions with firearms, toolmarks, or ammunition did your laboratory
perform? Mark yes or no for each function.
Function
Yes
No
a. Toolmarks
b. Firearms
c. Ammunition
D22. Please provide the following counts for your laboratory’s work with firearms, toolmarks, or
ammunition. Do not include outsourced requests in your counts or in your median turnaround
time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to your
laboratory in 2024
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January 1, 2025

d. Median turnaround time for requests completed in
2024

,

new requests

Check if estimate:

,

requests completed

Check if estimate:

,

pending requests

Check if estimate:

,

days

Check if estimate:
Check if unable to calculate
using the provided definition:

D23. During 2024, how many requests for firearms, toolmarks, or ammunition were outsourced
by your laboratory?

,

outsourced requests

Check if estimate:

D24. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with digital and multimedia evidence?
This includes:
• Traditional cellphone (not smartphone) analysis
• Smartphone, tablet, or mobile device analysis
• Laptop or desktop computer analysis
• Thumb and external drives, CDs, DVDs, or other storage media analysis
• GPS and navigation systems analysis
• Audio files analysis
• Video analysis (e.g., CCTV, DVR)
• Vehicle forensics
• Cloud and server data (including social media) analysis
Yes → Continue to D25 on page 11
No → SKIP to D28 on page 11

10

D25. What specific functions with digital and multimedia evidence did your laboratory perform?
Mark yes or no for each function.
Function
Yes
No
a. Traditional cellphone (not smartphone) analysis
b. Smartphone, tablet, or mobile device analysis
c. Laptop or desktop computer analysis
d. Thumb and external drives, CDs, DVDs, or other storage media analysis
e. GPS and navigation systems analysis
f. Audio files analysis
g. Video analysis (e.g., CCTV, DVR)
h. Vehicle forensics
i. Cloud and server data (including social media) analysis
j. Other analyses of digital and multimedia evidence (if yes, please specify)

D26. Please provide the following counts for your laboratory’s work with digital and multimedia
evidence. Do not include outsourced requests in your counts or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to your
laboratory in 2024
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January 1, 2025

d. Median turnaround time for requests completed in
2024

,

new requests

Check if estimate:

,

requests completed

Check if estimate:

,

pending requests

Check if estimate:

,

days

Check if estimate:
Check if unable to calculate
using the provided definition:

D27. During 2024, how many requests for digital and multimedia evidence were outsourced by
your laboratory?

,

outsourced requests

Check if estimate:

D28. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with latent prints?
This includes:
• Latent print development
• Comparisons analysis
Yes
No → SKIP to D32 on page 12
D29. What specific functions with latent prints did your laboratory perform?
Mark yes or no for each function.
Function
Yes
No
a. Latent print development
b. Comparisons analysis

11

D30. Please provide the following counts for your laboratory’s work with latent prints. Do not
include outsourced requests in your counts or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to your
laboratory in 2024
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January 1, 2025

d. Median turnaround time for requests completed in
2024

,

new requests

Check if estimate:

,

requests completed

Check if estimate:

,

pending requests

Check if estimate:

,

days

Check if estimate:
Check if unable to calculate
using the provided definition:

D31. During 2024, how many requests for latent prints were outsourced by your laboratory?

,

outsourced requests

Check if estimate:

D32. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with questioned documents?
This includes:
• Handwriting analysis
• Ink and paper analysis
Yes
No → SKIP to D36 on page 13
D33. What specific functions with questioned documents did your laboratory perform?
Mark yes or no for each function.
Function
Yes
No
a. Handwriting analysis
b. Ink and paper analysis
D34. Please provide the following counts for your laboratory’s work with questioned documents.
Do not include outsourced requests in your counts or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to your
laboratory in 2024
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January 1, 2025

d. Median turnaround time for requests completed in
2024

12

,

new requests

Check if estimate:

,

requests completed

Check if estimate:

,

pending requests

Check if estimate:

,

days

Check if estimate:
Check if unable to calculate
using the provided definition:

D35. During 2024, how many requests for questioned documents were outsourced by your
laboratory?

,

outsourced requests

Check if estimate:

D36. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with crime scene investigation?
This includes:
• Evidence collection
• Reconstruction (e.g., bloodstain pattern analysis, scene)
• Photography
Yes
No → SKIP to D40
D37. What specific functions with crime scene investigation did your laboratory perform?
Mark yes or no for each function.
Function
Yes
No
a. Evidence collection
b. Reconstruction (e.g., bloodstain pattern analysis, scene)
c. Photography
D38. Please provide the following counts for your laboratory’s work with crime scene
investigation.
Do not include outsourced requests in your counts or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to your
laboratory in 2024
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January 1, 2025

d. Median turnaround time for requests completed in
2024

,

new requests

Check if estimate:

,

requests completed

Check if estimate:

,

pending requests

Check if estimate:

,

days

Check if estimate:
Check if unable to calculate
using the provided definition:

D39. During 2024, how many requests for crime scene investigation were outsourced by your
laboratory?

,

outsourced requests

Check if estimate:

D40. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with forensic biology?
This includes:
• Casework analysis (e.g., sexual assault casework, biological fluid identification, DNA testing)
• DNA databasing (e.g., convicted offender, arrestee, or other DNA samples)
Yes → Continue to D41 on page 14
No → SKIP to D50 on page 15

13

D41. Did your laboratory perform casework analysis (e.g., sexual assault casework, biological fluid
identification, DNA testing)?
Yes
No → SKIP to D46 on page 15
D42. Please provide the following counts for your laboratory’s work with casework analysis. Do
not include outsourced requests in your counts or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to your
laboratory in 2024
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January 1, 2025

d. Median turnaround time for requests completed in
2024

,

new requests

Check if estimate:

,

requests completed

Check if estimate:

,

pending requests

Check if estimate:

,

days

Check if estimate:
Check if unable to calculate
using the provided definition:

D43. During 2024, how many requests for casework analysis were outsourced by your
laboratory?

,

outsourced requests

Check if estimate:

D44. Please provide the following counts only for your laboratory’s work with sexual assault
casework analysis. Do not include outsourced requests in your counts or in your median
turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to your
laboratory in 2024
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January 1, 2025

d. Median turnaround time for requests completed in
2024

,

new requests

Check if estimate:

,

requests completed

Check if estimate:

,

pending requests

Check if estimate:

,

days

Check if estimate:
Check if unable to calculate
using the provided definition:

D45. During 2024, what was the total number of requests for sexual assault casework analysis
outsourced by your laboratory?

,

outsourced requests

Check if estimate:

14

D46. Did your laboratory perform DNA databasing?
Yes
No → SKIP to D50
D47. What specific functions with DNA databasing did your laboratory perform? Mark yes or no
for each function.
Function
a. Convicted offender DNA samples
b. Arrestee DNA samples
c. Other DNA samples (e.g., missing persons, paternity)

Yes

No

D48. Please provide the following counts for your laboratory’s work with DNA databasing. Do not
include outsourced requests in your counts or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to your
laboratory in 2024
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January 1, 2025

d. Median turnaround time for requests completed in
2024

,

new requests

Check if estimate:

,

requests completed

Check if estimate:

,

pending requests

Check if estimate:

,

days

Check if estimate:
Check if unable to calculate
using the provided definition:

D49. During 2024, how many requests for DNA databasing were outsourced by your laboratory?

,

outsourced requests

Check if estimate:

D50. During 2024, did your laboratory perform other forensic functions not already captured in
D5-D40?
Yes
No → SKIP to D52 on page 16
D51. If yes, what other forensic functions did your laboratory perform?

15

D52. During 2024, did your laboratory have a turnaround time mandated by law for any of the forensic
functions it performed?
Yes
No → SKIP to D54
D53. For which of the following functions did your laboratory have a turnaround time mandated
by law in 2024? Mark yes or no for each function.
Function with mandatory turnaround time
Yes
No
a. Controlled substances
b. Toxicology
c. Antemortem BAC analysis
d. Antemortem drug analysis
e. Postmortem analysis
f. Trace analysis
g. Impressions
h. Firearms, toolmarks, or ammunition
i. Digital and multimedia evidence
j. Latent prints
k. Questioned documents
l. Crime scene investigation
m. Forensic biology
n. Casework analysis
o. Sexual assault casework analysis
p. DNA databasing
D54. During 2024, did your laboratory send outsourced requests to any of the following laboratory
types? Mark yes or no for each laboratory type.
Laboratory type
a. Commercial or private laboratory
b. Publicly funded laboratory
c. University laboratory (public or private)

Yes

No

D55. Which of the following were reasons your laboratory outsourced requests in 2024?
Mark yes or no for each reason.
Outsourced request reasons
a. Did not outsource requests in 2024
b. Did not have enough staff to do the work in-house
c. Did not have enough funding to do the work in-house
d. Access to specialized experience was needed
e. Was not accredited to do the work in-house
f. Received additional funding for outsourcing
g. Did not have a validated method to do the work in-house
h. Other (if yes, please specify)

16

Yes

No

Section E: Quality Assurance
If your laboratory is part of a multi-laboratory system, please remember to answer for your entire multilaboratory system.
E1. As of December 31, 2024, was your laboratory required to be accredited by any local, state, or
federal jurisdictions that you serve?
Yes
No
E2. As of December 31, 2024, were any disciplines in your laboratory accredited? Mark one.
Yes, all disciplines in my laboratory were accredited
Yes, some disciplines in my laboratory were accredited
No, none of the disciplines in my laboratory were accredited
E3. During 2024, did your laboratory have resources dedicated primarily to research? Research is
experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, the revision of accepted methods, or
practical application of such new or revised methods or technologies. Resources may include dollars,
work-hours, supplies, or other funding dedicated specifically to supporting research.
Yes
No
E4. During 2024, did your laboratory conduct proficiency testing?
Yes
No → SKIP to E6
E5. During 2024, which of the following proficiency tests did your laboratory perform internally
or externally? Mark yes or no for each test.
Proficiency test
a. Blind: analyst/examiner is not told which case is for testing
b. Declared: analyst/examiner is told when they are being tested
c. Random case reanalysis: random selection of analyst/examiner’s prior
casework for reanalysis by another analyst/examiner
d. Round robin/challenge testing
e. Documented performance observation

Yes

No

E6. In 2024, at what level did your laboratory perform technical reviews? A technical review refers to a
qualified second party’s evaluation of reports, notes, data, and other documentation to ensure there is
appropriate and sufficient support for resulting actions, results, conclusions, opinions, and
interpretations. Include technical reviews that are completed internally and technical reviews that are
outsourced. If your laboratory’s technical reviews are discipline-specific, please consider the average
percent of technical reviews performed across disciplines. Mark one.
Technical reviews were performed on none (0%) of the forensic requests completed.
Technical reviews were performed on some (less than 50%) of the forensic requests
completed.
Technical reviews were performed on most (more than 50%) of the forensic requests
completed.
Technical reviews were performed on all (100%) of the forensic requests completed.

17

E7. As of December 31, 2024, did staff in your laboratory have access to any of the following safety
and wellness resources? If yes, indicate if your laboratory primarily provided these resources directly
or through an external agency. Mark yes, directly; yes, through an external agency; or no, staff did not
have access to this resource.
No, staff did
not have
Yes, through
access to
an external
this
Safety and wellness resource
Yes, directly
agency
resource
a. Employee assistance programs (e.g., emotional,
stress, legal, or financial support)
b. Mental health debriefs
c. Proactive or preventative resiliency programs
(e.g., programs for stress or trauma)
d. Childcare programs
e. Physical fitness
f. Resources for parents or expecting parents
g. Peer support programs
h. Other resources (if yes, please specify)

Section F: Emerging Topics
If your laboratory is part of a multi-laboratory system, please remember to answer for your entire multilaboratory system.
F1.

In 2024, did multiple analysts or examiners, within the same discipline, perform work on the
same evidence in your laboratory, regardless of whether they issued a report? This question
pertains exclusively to the evidence analysis workflow, from initial examination to final report, and
whether multiple analysts performed work on the same evidence. It excludes re-analysis by a separate
analyst for proficiency testing or quality assurance.
Yes
No

18

F2.

In 2024, did your laboratory perform any of the following procedures or use any of the following
technologies in-house? Mark yes or no for each procedure or technology.
Procedure or technology
Yes
No
Forensic biology
a. Y-STR analysis
b. Mitochondrial DNA analysis
c. Expert systems, or software to process data without human intervention
d. Rapid DNA
e. Familial DNA database searches
f. Forensic genealogy database searches
g. Forensic genealogy testing
h. Proteomics
i. Kinship
j. Robotics
Other procedures and technology
k. 3D firearms imaging instrumentation
l. Cell source identification by pathology or instrumental method
m. LC-MS/MS for toxicology
n. High resolution mass spectrometry (e.g., QTOF)
o. Breath alcohol calibration
p. Provide materials for canine training aids to law enforcement
(e.g., for drugs and explosives detection)

F3. For those technologies your laboratory is not already utilizing, in 2024, was your laboratory in the
process of implementing or considering implementing any of the following in-house?
Mark yes, no, or already performing in-house for each technology.
Already performing
Technology
Yes
No
in-house
a. Mitochondrial DNA analysis
b. Expert systems, or software to process data without
human intervention
c. LC-MS/MS for toxicology
d. Rapid DNA
e. 3D firearms imaging instrumentation
f. High resolution mass spectrometry (e.g., QTOF)
g. Other (if yes, please specify)

F4.

Please mark the two areas where your laboratory currently has the greatest need for additional
funding. Mark two.
Personnel
Equipment
Supplies
Training/professional development
Facilities/infrastructure
Research & development
Outsourcing
Other (please specify)

19

F5.

Which of the following challenges, if any, did your laboratory face in 2024?
Mark yes or no for each challenge.
Challenges
a. Recruiting staff
b. High staff turnover
c. Lack of resources or financial support
d. Adapting to new or changing laws, policies, or regulations
e. Other (if yes, please specify)

Yes

No

→ If your laboratory did not face any challenges in 2024, SKIP to F7
F6.

F7.

Please select the main challenge your laboratory faced in 2024. Mark one.
Recruiting staff
High staff turnover
Lack of resources or financial support
Adapting to new or changing laws, policies, or regulations
Other (please specify)

Please write any comments you would like to share with the Bureau of Justice Statistics about:
• your survey responses
• the survey content or format
• the manner of administration of the survey, or
• any other applicable information.

Thank you for your participation in the
2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories.
Your feedback is very important to us!

Please return your survey in the enclosed envelope or send to:
Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories
RTI International
ATTN: 0219263.000.005
3040 E. Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194

20

Attachment A.
2024 CPFFCL: Example screenshots of web instrument

Attachment B: BJS authorizing legislation

Page 1 of 1

34 USC 10131 : Statement of purpose
Text contains those laws in effect on January 30, 2018
From Title 34-CRIME CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Subtitle I-Comprehensive Acts
CHAPTER 101-JUSTICE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT
SUBCHAPTER III-BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS
Jump To:
Source Credit
Codification
Prior Provisions
Amendments
Effective Date

§10131. Statement of purpose
It is the purpose of this subchapter to provide for and encourage the collection and analysis of statistical
information concerning crime, juvenile delinquency, and the operation of the criminal justice system and
related aspects of the civil justice system and to support the development of information and statistical
systems at the Federal, State, and local levels to improve the efforts of these levels of government to
measure and understand the levels of crime, juvenile delinquency, and the operation of the criminal justice
system and related aspects of the civil justice system. The Bureau shall utilize to the maximum extent
feasible State governmental organizations and facilities responsible for the collection and analysis of
criminal justice data and statistics. In carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, the Bureau shall give
primary emphasis to the problems of State and local justice systems.
(Pub. L. 90–351, title I, §301, as added Pub. L. 96–157, §2, Dec. 27, 1979, 93 Stat. 1176 ; amended Pub. L.
98–473, title II, §605(a), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2079 .)

CODIFICATION
Section was formerly classified to section 3731 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior
to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 301 of Pub. L. 90–351, title I, June 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 199 ; Pub. L. 91–644,
title I, §4(1)–(4), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1882 ; Pub. L. 93–83, §2, Aug. 6, 1973, 87 Stat. 199 ;
Pub. L. 94–503, title I, §§109, 128(b), Oct. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 2411 , 2424, related to purposes
and categories of grants for law enforcement and criminal justice purposes, prior to the general
amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 96–157.

AMENDMENTS
1984-Pub. L. 98–473 struck out "(including white-collar crime and public corruption)" after
"information concerning crime" and "(including crimes against the elderly, white-collar crime,
and public corruption)" after "levels of crime".

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1984 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 98–473 effective Oct. 12, 1984, see section 609AA(a) of Pub. L. 98–
473, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10101 of this title.

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34 USC 10132 : Bureau of Justice Statistics
Text contains those laws in effect on January 30, 2018
From Title 34-CRIME CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Subtitle I-Comprehensive Acts
CHAPTER 101-JUSTICE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT
SUBCHAPTER III-BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS
Jump To:
Source Credit
References In Text
Codification
Prior Provisions
Amendments
Effective Date
Miscellaneous

§10132. Bureau of Justice Statistics
(a) Establishment
There is established within the Department of Justice, under the general authority of the Attorney General,
a Bureau of Justice Statistics (hereinafter referred to in this subchapter as "Bureau").
(b) Appointment of Director; experience; authority; restrictions
The Bureau shall be headed by a Director appointed by the President. The Director shall have had
experience in statistical programs. The Director shall have final authority for all grants, cooperative
agreements, and contracts awarded by the Bureau. The Director shall be responsible for the integrity of data
and statistics and shall protect against improper or illegal use or disclosure. The Director shall report to the
Attorney General through the Assistant Attorney General. The Director shall not engage in any other
employment than that of serving as Director; nor shall the Director hold any office in, or act in any capacity
for, any organization, agency, or institution with which the Bureau makes any contract or other arrangement
under this Act.
(c) Duties and functions of Bureau
The Bureau is authorized to(1) make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with public agencies, institutions
of higher education, private organizations, or private individuals for purposes related to this subchapter;
grants shall be made subject to continuing compliance with standards for gathering justice statistics set
forth in rules and regulations promulgated by the Director;
(2) collect and analyze information concerning criminal victimization, including crimes against the
elderly, and civil disputes;
(3) collect and analyze data that will serve as a continuous and comparable national social indication of
the prevalence, incidence, rates, extent, distribution, and attributes of crime, juvenile delinquency, civil
disputes, and other statistical factors related to crime, civil disputes, and juvenile delinquency, in support
of national, State, tribal, and local justice policy and decisionmaking;
(4) collect and analyze statistical information, concerning the operations of the criminal justice system at
the Federal, State, tribal, and local levels;
(5) collect and analyze statistical information concerning the prevalence, incidence, rates, extent,
distribution, and attributes of crime, and juvenile delinquency, at the Federal, State, tribal, and local levels;
(6) analyze the correlates of crime, civil disputes and juvenile delinquency, by the use of statistical
information, about criminal and civil justice systems at the Federal, State, tribal, and local levels, and
about the extent, distribution and attributes of crime, and juvenile delinquency, in the Nation and at the
Federal, State, tribal, and local levels;
(7) compile, collate, analyze, publish, and disseminate uniform national statistics concerning all aspects
of criminal justice and related aspects of civil justice, crime, including crimes against the elderly, juvenile
delinquency, criminal offenders, juvenile delinquents, and civil disputes in the various States and in Indian
country;
(8) recommend national standards for justice statistics and for insuring the reliability and validity of
justice statistics supplied pursuant to this chapter;

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( ) maintain liaison with the judicial branches of the Federal Government and State and tribal
governments in matters relating to justice statistics, and cooperate with the judicial branch in assuring as
much uniformity as feasible in statistical systems of the executive and judicial branches;
(10) provide information to the President, the Congress, the judiciary, State, tribal, and local
governments, and the general public on justice statistics;
(11) establish or assist in the establishment of a system to provide State, tribal, and local governments
with access to Federal informational resources useful in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of
programs under this Act;
(12) conduct or support research relating to methods of gathering or analyzing justice statistics;
(13) provide for the development of justice information systems programs and assistance to the States,
Indian tribes, and units of local government relating to collection, analysis, or dissemination of justice
statistics;
(14) develop and maintain a data processing capability to support the collection, aggregation, analysis
and dissemination of information on the incidence of crime and the operation of the criminal justice
system;
(15) collect, analyze and disseminate comprehensive Federal justice transaction statistics (including
statistics on issues of Federal justice interest such as public fraud and high technology crime) and to
provide technical assistance to and work jointly with other Federal agencies to improve the availability and
quality of Federal justice data;
(16) provide for the collection, compilation, analysis, publication and dissemination of information and
statistics about the prevalence, incidence, rates, extent, distribution and attributes of drug offenses, drug
related offenses and drug dependent offenders and further provide for the establishment of a national
clearinghouse to maintain and update a comprehensive and timely data base on all criminal justice
aspects of the drug crisis and to disseminate such information;
(17) provide for the collection, analysis, dissemination and publication of statistics on the condition and
progress of drug control activities at the Federal, State, tribal, and local levels with particular attention to
programs and intervention efforts demonstrated to be of value in the overall national anti-drug strategy
and to provide for the establishment of a national clearinghouse for the gathering of data generated by
Federal, State, tribal, and local criminal justice agencies on their drug enforcement activities;
(18) provide for the development and enhancement of State, tribal, and local criminal justice information
systems, and the standardization of data reporting relating to the collection, analysis or dissemination of
data and statistics about drug offenses, drug related offenses, or drug dependent offenders;
(1 ) provide for improvements in the accuracy, quality, timeliness, immediate accessibility, and
integration of State and tribal criminal history and related records, support the development and
enhancement of national systems of criminal history and related records including the National Instant
Criminal Background Check System, the National Incident-Based Reporting System, and the records of
the National Crime Information Center, facilitate State and tribal participation in national records and
information systems, and support statistical research for critical analysis of the improvement and utilization
of criminal history records;
(20) maintain liaison with State, tribal, and local governments and governments of other nations
concerning justice statistics;
(21) cooperate in and participate with national and international organizations in the development of
uniform justice statistics;
(22) ensure conformance with security and privacy requirement of section 10231 of this title and
identify, analyze, and participate in the development and implementation of privacy, security and
information policies which impact on Federal, tribal, and State criminal justice operations and related
statistical activities; and
(23) exercise the powers and functions set out in subchapter VII.
(d) Justice statistical collection, analysis, and dissemination
(1) In g eneral
To ensure that all justice statistical collection, analysis, and dissemination is carried out in a coordinated
manner, the Director is authorized to(A) utilize, with their consent, the services, equipment, records, personnel, information, and facilities
of other Federal, State, local, and private agencies and instrumentalities with or without reimbursement
therefor, and to enter into agreements with such agencies and instrumentalities for purposes of data
collection and analysis;
(B) confer and cooperate with State, municipal, and other local agencies;
(C) request such information, data, and reports from any Federal agency as may be required to carry
out the purposes of this chapter;

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(D) seek the cooperation of the judicial branch of the Federal Government in gathering data from
criminal justice records;
(E) encourage replication, coordination and sharing among justice agencies regarding information
systems, information policy, and data; and
(F) confer and cooperate with Federal statistical agencies as needed to carry out the purposes of this
subchapter, including by entering into cooperative data sharing agreements in conformity with all laws
and regulations applicable to the disclosure and use of data.
(2) Consultation w ith Indian tribes
The Director, acting jointly with the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs (acting through the Office of
Justice Services) and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shall work with Indian tribes and
tribal law enforcement agencies to establish and implement such tribal data collection systems as the
Director determines to be necessary to achieve the purposes of this section.
(e) Furnishing of information, data, or reports by Federal ag encies
Federal agencies requested to furnish information, data, or reports pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(C) shall
provide such information to the Bureau as is required to carry out the purposes of this section.
(f) Consultation w ith representatives of State, tribal, and local g overnment and j udiciary
In recommending standards for gathering justice statistics under this section, the Director shall consult
with representatives of State, tribal, and local government, including, where appropriate, representatives of
the judiciary.
(g ) Reports
Not later than 1 year after July 2 , 2010, and annually thereafter, the Director shall submit to Congress a
report describing the data collected and analyzed under this section relating to crimes in Indian country.
(Pub. . 0 351, title I, 302, as added Pub. . 6 157, 2, Dec. 27, 1 7 , 3 Stat. 1176 ; amended Pub. .
8 473, title II, 605(b), Oct. 12, 1 84, 8 Stat. 207 ; Pub. . 100 6 0, title VI, 60 2(a), Nov. 18, 1 88,
102 Stat. 433 ; Pub. . 103 322, title
III, 330001(h)(2), Sept. 13, 1 4, 108 Stat. 213 ; Pub. . 10
162, title I, 1115(a), Jan. 5, 2006, 11 Stat. 3103 ; Pub. . 111 211, title II, 251(b), July 2 , 2010, 124
Stat. 22 7 ; Pub. . 112 166, 2(h)(1), Aug. 10, 2012, 126 Stat. 1285 .)

REFERENCES IN TEX T
This Act, referred to in subsecs. (b) and (c)(11), is Pub. . 0 351, June 1 , 1 68, 82 Stat.
1 7 , known as the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1 68. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1 68 Act note set out under section 10101
of this title and Tables.

CODIFICATION
Section was formerly classified to section 3732 of Title 42, The Public Health and
to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

elfare, prior

PRIOR PROV ISIONS
A prior section 302 of Pub. . 0 351, title I, June 1 , 1 68, 82 Stat. 200 ; Pub. . 3 83, 2,
Aug. 6, 1 73, 87 Stat. 201 ; Pub. . 4 503, title I, 110, Oct. 15, 1 76, 0 Stat. 2412 , related
to establishment of State planning agencies to develop comprehensive State plans for grants for
law enforcement and criminal justice purposes, prior to the general amendment of this chapter
by Pub. . 6 157.

AMENDMENTS
2012-Subsec. (b). Pub. . 112 166 struck out ", by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate" before period at end of first sentence.
2010-Subsec. (c)(3) to (6). Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(1)(A), inserted "tribal," after "State,"
wherever appearing.
Subsec. (c)(7). Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(1)(B), inserted "and in Indian country" after "States".
Subsec. (c)( ). Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(1)(C), substituted "Federal Government and State
and tribal governments" for "Federal and State Governments".
Subsec. (c)(10), (11). Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(1)(D), inserted ", tribal," after "State".

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Subsec. (c)(13). Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(1)(E), inserted ", Indian tribes," after "States".
Subsec. (c)(17). Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(1)(F), substituted "activities at the Federal, State,
tribal, and local" for "activities at the Federal, State and local" and "generated by Federal, State,
tribal, and local" for "generated by Federal, State, and local".
Subsec. (c)(18). Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(1)(G), substituted "State, tribal, and local" for
"State and local".
Subsec. (c)(1 ). Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(1)(H), inserted "and tribal" after "State" in two
places.
Subsec. (c)(20). Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(1)(I), inserted ", tribal," after "State".
Subsec. (c)(22). Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(1)(J), inserted ", tribal," after "Federal".
Subsec. (d). Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(2), designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted
par. (1) heading, substituted "To ensure" for "To insure", redesignated former pars. (1) to (6) as
subpars. (A) to (F), respectively, of par. (1), realigned margins, and added par. (2).
Subsec. (e). Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(3), substituted "subsection (d)(1)(C)" for "subsection
(d)(3)".
Subsec. (f). Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(4)(B), inserted ", tribal," after "State".
Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(4)(A), which directed insertion of ", tribal," after "State" in heading,
was executed editorially but could not be executed in original because heading had been
editorially supplied.
Subsec. (g). Pub. . 111 211, 251(b)(5), added subsec. (g).
2006 -Subsec. (b). Pub. . 10 162, 1115(a)(1), inserted after third sentence "The Director
shall be responsible for the integrity of data and statistics and shall protect against improper or
illegal use or disclosure."
Subsec. (c)(1 ). Pub. . 10 162, 1115(a)(2), amended par. (1 ) generally. Prior to
amendment, par. (1 ) read as follows "provide for research and improvements in the accuracy,
completeness, and inclusiveness of criminal history record information, information systems,
arrest warrant, and stolen vehicle record information and information systems and support
research concerning the accuracy, completeness, and inclusiveness of other criminal justice
record information;".
Subsec. (d)(6). Pub. . 10 162, 1115(a)(3), added par. (6).
19 9 4-Subsec. (c)(1 ). Pub. . 103 322 substituted a semicolon for period at end.
19 8 8 -Subsec. (c)(16) to (23). Pub. . 100 6 0 added pars. (16) to (1 ) and redesignated
former pars. (16) to (1 ) as (20) to (23), respectively.
19 8 4-Subsec. (b). Pub. . 8 473, 605(b)(1), inserted provision requiring Director to report to
Attorney General through Assistant Attorney General.
Subsec. (c)(13). Pub. . 8 473, 605(b)(2)(A), (C), added par. (13) and struck out former
par. (13) relating to provision of financial and technical assistance to States and units of local
government relating to collection, analysis, or dissemination of justice statistics.
Subsec. (c)(14), (15). Pub. . 8 473, 605(b)(2)(C), added pars. (14) and (15). Former pars.
(14) and (15) redesignated (16) and (17), respectively.
Subsec. (c)(16). Pub. . 8 473, 605(b)(2)(A), (B), redesignated par. (14) as (16) and struck
out former par. (16) relating to insuring conformance with security and privacy regulations
issued under section 10231 of this title.
Subsec. (c)(17). Pub. . 8 473, 605(b)(2)(B), redesignated par. (15) as (17). Former par.
(17) redesignated (1 ).
Subsec. (c)(18). Pub. . 8 473, 605(b)(2)(D), added par. (18).
Subsec. (c)(1 ). Pub. . 8 473, 605(b)(2)(B), redesignated former par. (17) as (1 ).
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. . 8 473, 605(b)(3)(A), inserted ", and to enter into agreements with
such agencies and instrumentalities for purposes of data collection and analysis".
Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. . 8 473, 605(b)(3)(B) (D), added par. (5).

EFFECTIV E DATE OF 2012 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. . 112 166 effective 60 days after Aug. 10, 2012, and applicable to
appointments made on and after that effective date, including any nomination pending in the

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Senate on that date, see section 6(a) of Pub. . 112 166, set out as a note under section 113
of Title 6, Domestic Security.

EFFECTIV E DATE OF 19 8 4 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. . 8 473 effective Oct. 12, 1 84, see section 60 AA(a) of Pub. . 8
473, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10101 of this title.

CONSTRUCTION OF 2010 AMENDMENT
Pub. . 111 211, title II, 251(c), July 2 , 2010, 124 Stat. 22 8 , provided that "Nothing in
this section amending this section and section 41507 of this title or any amendment made by this
section"(1) allows the grant to be made to, or used by, an entity for law enforcement activities
that the entity lacks jurisdiction to perform; or
"(2) has any effect other than to authorize, award, or deny a grant of funds to a federally
recognized Indian tribe for the purposes described in the relevant grant program."
For definition of "Indian tribe" as used in section 251(c) of Pub. . 111 211, set out above,
see section 203(a) of Pub. . 111 211, set out as a note under section 2801 of Title 25, Indians.
INCLUSION OF H ONOR V IOLENCE IN NATIONAL CRIME V ICTIMIZ ATION SURV EY
Pub. . 113 235, div. B, title II, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 21 1 , provided in part "That
beginning not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act div. B of Pub. . 113
235, Dec. 16, 2014 , as part of each National Crime Victimization Survey, the Attorney General
shall include statistics relating to honor violence".

STUDY OF CRIMES AG AINST SENIORS
Pub. . 106 534, 5, Nov. 22, 2000, 114 Stat. 2557 , provided that
"(a) In General.-The Attorney General shall conduct a study relating to crimes against seniors,
in order to assist in developing new strategies to prevent and otherwise reduce the incidence of
those crimes.
"(b) Issues Addressed.-The study conducted under this section shall include an analysis of"(1) the nature and type of crimes perpetrated against seniors, with special focus on"(A) the most common types of crimes that affect seniors;
"(B) the nature and extent of telemarketing, sweepstakes, and repair fraud against
seniors; and
"(C) the nature and extent of financial and material fraud targeted at seniors;
"(2) the risk factors associated with seniors who have been victimized;
"(3) the manner in which the Federal and State criminal justice systems respond to
crimes against seniors;
"(4) the feasibility of States establishing and maintaining a centralized computer database
on the incidence of crimes against seniors that will promote the uniform identification and
reporting of such crimes;
"(5) the effectiveness of damage awards in court actions and other means by which
seniors receive reimbursement and other damages after fraud has been established; and
"(6) other effective ways to prevent or reduce the occurrence of crimes against seniors."

INCLUSION OF SENIORS IN NATIONAL CRIME V ICTIMIZ ATION SURV EY
Pub. . 106 534, 6, Nov. 22, 2000, 114 Stat. 2557 , provided that "Beginning not later than
2 years after the date of enactment of this Act Nov. 22, 2000 , as part of each National Crime
Victimization Survey, the Attorney General shall include statistics relating to"(1) crimes targeting or disproportionately affecting seniors;
"(2) crime risk factors for seniors, including the times and locations at which crimes
victimizing seniors are most likely to occur; and
"(3) specific characteristics of the victims of crimes who are seniors, including age,
gender, race or ethnicity, and socioeconomic status."

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1/31/2018

Page 6 of 7

CRIME VICTIMS WITH DISABILITIES AWARENESS
Pub. L. 105–301, Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2838 , as amended by Pub. L. 106–402, title IV,
§401(b)(10), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1739 , provided that:
"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
"This Act may be cited as the 'Crime Victims With Disabilities Awareness Act'.
"SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSES.
"(a) Findings.-Congress finds that"(1) although research conducted abroad demonstrates that individuals with
developmental disabilities are at a 4 to 10 times higher risk of becoming crime victims than
those without disabilities, there have been no significant studies on this subject conducted in
the United States;
"(2) in fact, the National Crime Victim's Survey, conducted annually by the Bureau of
Justice Statistics of the Department of Justice, does not specifically collect data relating to
crimes against individuals with developmental disabilities;
"(3) studies in Canada, Australia, and Great Britain consistently show that victims with
developmental disabilities suffer repeated victimization because so few of the crimes against
them are reported, and even when they are, there is sometimes a reluctance by police,
prosecutors, and judges to rely on the testimony of a disabled individual, making individuals
with developmental disabilities a target for criminal predators;
"(4) research in the United States needs to be done to"(A) understand the nature and extent of crimes against individuals with
developmental disabilities;
"(B) describe the manner in which the justice system responds to crimes against
individuals with developmental disabilities; and
"(C) identify programs, policies, or laws that hold promises for making the justice
system more responsive to crimes against individuals with developmental disabilities; and
"(5) the National Academy of Science Committee on Law and Justice of the National
Research Council is a premier research institution with unique experience in developing
seminal, multidisciplinary studies to establish a strong research base from which to make
public policy.
"(b) Purposes.-The purposes of this Act are"(1) to increase public awareness of the plight of victims of crime who are individuals with
developmental disabilities;
"(2) to collect data to measure the extent of the problem of crimes against individuals with
developmental disabilities; and
"(3) to develop a basis to find new strategies to address the safety and justice needs of
victims of crime who are individuals with developmental disabilities.
"SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY.
"In this Act, the term 'developmental disability' has the meaning given the term in section 102
of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 [42 U.S.C. 15002].
"SEC. 4. STUDY.
"(a) In General.-The Attorney General shall conduct a study to increase knowledge and
information about crimes against individuals with developmental disabilities that will be useful in
developing new strategies to reduce the incidence of crimes against those individuals.
"(b) Issues Addressed.-The study conducted under this section shall address such issues as"(1) the nature and extent of crimes against individuals with developmental disabilities;
"(2) the risk factors associated with victimization of individuals with developmental
disabilities;
"(3) the manner in which the justice system responds to crimes against individuals with
developmental disabilities; and

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1/31/2018

Page 7 of 7

"(4) the means by which States may establish and maintain a centralized computer
database on the incidence of crimes against individuals with disabilities within a State.
"(c) National Academy of Sciences.-In carrying out this section, the Attorney General shall
consider contracting with the Committee on Law and Justice of the National Research Council
of the National Academy of Sciences to provide research for the study conducted under this
section.
"(d) Report.-Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 27, 1998],
the Attorney General shall submit to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and the
House of Representatives a report describing the results of the study conducted under this
section.
"SEC. 5. NATIONAL CRIME VICTIM'S SURVEY.
"Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, as part of each National Crime
Victim's Survey, the Attorney General shall include statistics relating to"(1) the nature of crimes against individuals with developmental disabilities; and
"(2) the specific characteristics of the victims of those crimes."

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=34+usc+10132&f=treesort&fq=true&num=5&hl...

1/31/2018

Attachment C: 60-day federal register notice

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)*+ÿ)ÿ>>>˜ Skip to A3

 No, this definition does not apply to my
laboratory. You do not need to
complete the questionnaire. Please
return this form.
 My laboratory no longer exists as of
December 31, 2024. You do not
need to complete the questionnaire.
Please return this form.

not need to complete the
questionnaire. Please return
this form.
 Your laboratory no longer exists
as of December 31, 2024. You
do not need to complete the
questionnaire. Please return
this form.

Organization
A1. As of December 31, 2024, was your
laboratory part of a multi-laboratory system?
A multi-laboratory system is defined as two or
more separate laboratory entities that are
overseen by a single organization.
•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to A3

–Removed “If a laboratory
includes multiple physical
buildings, but is considered to
be a single laboratory, please
mark ‘No’ as a response.”

A2. As of December 31, 2024, how many
distinct laboratories were in your multilaboratory system? Include your own
laboratory in this total.
___laboratories

–Moved item up to be the
second question of the survey.

None.

Yes

A2. As of December 31, 2024, how many
distinct laboratories were in your multilaboratory system? Include your own
laboratory in this total.
___laboratories

A3. What level of government operates your
laboratory? Mark one.
•
City, borough, village, or town
•
County or parish
•
State
•
Federal

–Replaced “this laboratory
facility” with “your
laboratory.”

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

Yes

A3. What level of government operates your
laboratory? Mark one.
•
City, borough, village, or town
•
County or parish
•
State
•
Federal

–Moved item up to be the first
question of the survey.

3

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

A4. Which of the following best describes the
agency that has administrative oversight of
your laboratory? Administrative oversight is
defined as a ‘parent’ agency that has staffing
and budgetary oversight over your laboratory.
Mark one.
•
Law enforcement entity (e.g.,
department or division of public
safety, Department of Justice)
•
Department or division of forensic
science
•
Government attorney’s office (e.g.,
district attorney)
•
Public health agency (e.g.,
department or division of public
health, medical examiner office)
•
Other (please specify)

–Added a definition of
“administrative oversight.”

5.

Recommend not adding this category. Okay
to have labs using the other category in
these situations.

–Replaced “Law enforcement
agency” with “Law
enforcement entity.”
–Added “Department of
Justice” as an example of a law
enforcement entity.
–Added “medical examiner
office” as an example of a
public health agency.

6.

Add a response option of
“City, county, or municipal
government.” Note: Of the
296 labs that responded to
the question about
administrative oversight in
the 2020 CPFFCL, 30 labs
(10.1%) selected “Other”
and indicated that that city,
county, or municipal
government has
administrative oversight of
their laboratory.
Remove Department of
Justice as an example of a
law enforcement entity to
reduce any potential for
confusion given that a
Department of Justice is
often run by an attorney
general.

A5. Does your laboratory have oversight from
a forensic science board or commission?
•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to A7

New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

None.

A6. Does the forensic science board or
commission have a regulatory or advisory
role? Mark one.
•
Regulatory role
•
Advisory role

New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

7.

If it is possible for a forensic
science board or
commission to serve in both
a regulatory and advisory
role, consider adding the
following instruction: “If the
forensic science board or
commission has both a
regulatory and advisory
role, please select the board
or commission’s primary
role.” Alternatively,
consider changing this
question to include “Mark
all that apply.”

If we add a category for local government
than would we also include categories for
state government and federal? This then
seems to repeat A3 in a way.
This seems to be getting outside of the
intent for the question which is focused on
the type of entity the lab is under (e.g.,
criminal justice vs public health).
Could consider some sort of none of the
above-general government oversight
response option but I could see this
creating some confusion.

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)
Yes

2024 CPFFCL Item
A4. Which of the following best describes the
agency that has administrative oversight of
your laboratory? Administrative oversight is
defined as a ‘parent’ agency that has staffing
and budgetary oversight over your laboratory.
Mark one.
•
Law enforcement entity (e.g.,
department or division of public
safety)
•
Department or division of forensic
science
•
Government attorney’s office (e.g.,
district attorney)
•
Public health agency (e.g.,
department or division of public
health, medical examiner office)
•
Other (please specify)

Agree with recommendation

Agree to make Mark all that apply.

A5. Does your laboratory have oversight
from a forensic science board or
commission?
•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to A7
A6. Does the forensic science board or
commission have a regulatory or advisory
role? Mark all that apply.
•
Regulatory role
•
Advisory role

4

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

A7. As of December 31, 2024, did your
laboratory have a Laboratory Information
Management System (LIMS)? LIMS is a
computerized system used to manage, compile,
or track requests and/or evidence. If your
laboratory’s LIMS is only deployed for certain
disciplines, or is being upgraded or installed,
please select “Yes.”
•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to A9
A8. During 2024, did your laboratory use LIMS
for any of the following functions? Mark yes or
no for each function.

–Moved item from Workload
section to Organization
section.

None.

a. Tracking by item
b. Tracking by request
c. Tracking by law enforcement case number
d. Tracking by laboratory case number
e. Tracking by criminal offense (e.g., homicide
or robbery)
f. Calculating turnaround time by item
g. Calculating average turnaround time by
section
h. Calculating average turnaround time for the
overall laboratory
i. Tracking by criminal case status
j. Interfacing with laboratory instrumentation
k. Monitoring backlog
l. Documenting chain of custody
m. Generating reports
n. Paperless reporting
o. Generating discovery

BJS Recommendation/Decision

–Added a definition of LIMS.

-Added question for 2024 per
expert panel recommendation;
asked in the 2009 and 2014
CPFFCL.
-Added “Generating
discovery.”

8.

Add the following
definitions that were
included in the 2014 CPFFCL
Appendix B Glossary:
Tracking by criminal
offense: Tracks evidence by
the type of associated
criminal offense. This may
be used to identify evidence
or cases for a single offense
type (e.g., homicide) or
multiple offense types (e.g.,
property crime).
Tracking by criminal case
status: Records the progress
of a case through the
criminal justice system for
which physical evidence has
been submitted to the
laboratory. Status
information may include
open/closed/cleared
designation, pending court
dates and/or final case
disposition.

To address issues noted by participants and
these categories being similar to other
categories, propose removing tracking by
criminal offense and paperless reporting
instead of adding definitions. Open to
including these and adding examples rather
than definitions.

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

A7. As of December 31, 2024, did your
laboratory have a Laboratory Information
Management System (LIMS)? LIMS is a
computerized system used to manage,
compile, or track requests and/or evidence. If
your laboratory’s LIMS is only deployed for
certain disciplines, or is being upgraded or
installed, please select “Yes.”
•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to A9
A8. During 2024, did your laboratory use
LIMS for any of the following functions?
Mark yes or no for each function.
a. Tracking by item
b. Tracking by request
c. Tracking by law enforcement case number
d. Tracking by laboratory case number
e. Tracking by criminal offense (e.g., homicide
or robbery)
f. Tracking by criminal case status (e.g., open,
closed, cleared designation, pending court
dates, and/or final disposition)
g. Calculating turnaround time by item
h. Calculating average turnaround time by
section
i. Calculating average turnaround time for the
overall laboratory
j. Interfacing with laboratory instrumentation
k. Monitoring backlog
l. Documenting chain of custody
m. Generating reports (e.g., creating reports,
inputting data into report templates)
n. Paperless reporting (e.g., entering records
directly into a digital device)
o. Generating discovery

Generating a report:
Automatically assists in the
creation of reports,
including, but not limited to,
creating report language,

5

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

inputting data into report
templates, certificates of
analysis and workload
reports.

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

Paperless reporting: Enters
records directly into a
digital device and stores
them in a database, as
opposed to records
physically documented on
paper or other tangible
medium.
A9. During 2024, did your laboratory use any
of the following databases? Mark yes or no for
each row.

-Added question for 2024;
asked in the 2009 and 2014
CPFFCL.

a. Paint Data Query (PDQ)
b. National Integrated Ballistics Information
Network (NIBIN)
c. Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)
d. Automated Fingerprint Identification System
(AFIS)
e. Integrated Automated Fingerprint
Identification System (IAFIS)
f. Ignitable Liquids Reference Collection (ILRC)

-Removed “Other DNA
Database (non-CODIS).”

Budget

B1. During the fiscal year that included
December 31, 2024, did your laboratory
receive funding from any of the following
sources? Mark yes or no for each row.

-Replaced “Fees (e.g., case
processing fees)” with “Fees
for case processing and other
services.”

a. Asset forfeitures
b. Fees for case processing and other services
c. Federal grants
d. State grants
e. City, county, or local grants
f. Donations from organizations, families, or
individuals

-Replaced “Grants – federal”
with “Federal grants.”
-Replaced “Grants – state or
local” with two separate
response options: “State
grants” and “City, county, or
local grants.”

9.

Replace “Integrated
Automated Fingerprint
Identification System
(IAFIS)” with “Next
Generation Identification
(NGI), formerly Integrated
Automated Fingerprint
Identification System
(IAFIS).”

Agree

10. Add “Automated Biometric
Identification Systems
(ABIS)” as a response option
after Automated Fingerprint
Identification System (AFIS).

Do not add

11. Replace “Fees for case
processing and other
services” with “Fees for
case processing including
fees from court
proceedings, court cost
collections, and other fees
for service.”

Keep as is

12. To account for differences
in fiscal year, consider
including the question from
the 2020 CPFFCL that asks

Agree
To avoid issue with budget/expenditures
and fiscal year, consider what was done in
2009 CPFFCL and ask at the beginning of

A9. During 2024, did your laboratory use any
of the following databases? Mark yes or no
for each row.
a. Paint Data Query (PDQ)
b. National Integrated Ballistics Information
Network (NIBIN)
c. Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)
d. Automated Fingerprint Identification
System (AFIS)
e. Next Generation Identification (NGI),
formerly Integrated Automated Fingerprint
Identification System (IAFIS)
f. Ignitable Liquids Reference Collection (ILRC)

The following question will be added to the
beginning of this section: Please indicate the
month and day on which your laboratory’s
fiscal year begins: MM DD

B1. During your laboratory’s 2024 budget
year, did your laboratory receive funding
from any of the following sources? Mark yes
or no for each row.
a. Asset forfeitures

6

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

-Replaced “Donations” with
“Donations from
organizations, families, or
individuals” and moved this
source to the bottom of the
list.
B2. What was the total operating budget for
your laboratory for the fiscal year that
included December 31, 2024?
•
Include funding received from all
sources, including any asset
forfeitures, fees, grants, donations,
or other revenue sources.
•
Include outsourcing costs associated
with contracting or procuring
services from another public,
private, commercial, or university
laboratory to accomplish laboratory
functions.
•
Do not include funding for building
construction or major equipment
purchases, defined as
nonexpendable items that have a
useful life of more than two years
and cost more than $5,000.

-Updated the inclusion criteria
to include outsourcing costs.
-Added definition of major
equipment purchases.

the laboratory to indicate
the month and day on
which their laboratory’s
fiscal year begins.

-Added question for 2024
CPFFCL per expert panel; asked
in 2002, 2005, and 2009
CPFFCL.

BJS Recommendation/Decision
budget section to provide responses for
their “2024 budget year” and then ask if
fiscal year, specify, or calendar year.

13. Add an instruction to
include all operational
costs.

Do not add since questions say operating
budget and instructions provide what to
include.

14. Add an instruction to not
include personnel costs or
training costs.

Personnel costs have always been included
in total. Makes up about 80% of budgets. Is
this recommendation to exclude some
other type of personnel cost? Do not
include this instruction. Okay to add
personnel budgets to be included.

15. Replace “Do not include
funding for building
construction or major
equipment purchases,
defined as nonexpendable
items that have a useful life
of more than two years and
cost more than $5,000”
with “Do not include any
capital expenses, such as
funding for building
construction or major
equipment purchases,
defined as nonexpendable
items that have a useful life
of more than two years and
cost more than $5,000.”

If you do not know the total operating budget,
please provide your best estimate.
$___,___,___
If estimated, check here___

B3. What were your laboratory’s expenditures
for the fiscal year that included December 31,
2024? If you do not know your laboratory’s
expenditures, please provide your best
estimate.

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

16. Add Training and
Professional Development,
Facilities (e.g., rent,
utilities), and Outsourcing
as expenditure categories.

Prefer to keep as is.

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

Yes

B2. What was the total operating budget for
your laboratory’s 2024 budget year?

b. Fees for case processing and other services
c. Federal grants
d. State grants
e. City, county, or local grants
f. Donations from organizations, families, or
individuals

Include:
•

•
•

Funding received from all sources,
including any asset forfeitures,
fees, grants, donations, or other
revenue sources.
Personnel budgets.
Outsourcing costs associated with
contracting or procuring services
from another public, private,
commercial, or university
laboratory to accomplish
laboratory functions.

Do not include:
•
Funding for building construction
or major equipment purchases,
defined as nonexpendable items
that have a useful life of more than
two years and cost more than
$5,000.
If you do not know the total operating budget,
please provide your best estimate.
$___,___,___
If estimated, check here___

Do not add, significant increase in burden

B3. What were the total expenditures for
your laboratory’s 2024 budget year? If you do
not know your laboratory’s expenditures,
please provide your best estimate.

7

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing
17. Remove the reference to
$5,000 from the
descriptions of the
Equipment and Supplies
categories.
18. Replace “personnel” with
“staffing” and “employees”
with “staff” for consistency
with other items that refer
to staff.

BJS Recommendation/Decision
Dollar amount helps define this category
and major. If dollar amount removed,
consider removing major and allow for all
equipment purchases.

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item
a. Personnel – total amount spent on annual
salaries and fringe benefits for all employees
b. Equipment – total amount spent on
nonexpendable items that have a useful life of
more than two years and cost more than
$5,000

Keep as is. Personnel is commonly used
budget category

c. Supplies – total amount spent on materials
that are expendable, consumed during the
course of the year, and cost less than $5,000

Ok to add Outsourcing as a category
Provide examples of Training, Professional
Development, and Facilities under Other
expenditures

d. Outsourcing – total amount spent on
outsourcing costs
e. Other expenditures (e.g., Training,
Professional Development, Facilities)
f. Total expenditures (sum a-e)

Staffing

C1. As of December 31, 2024, how many fulltime and part-time employees did your
laboratory have? Include managerial staff,
clerical or administrative staff, analysts or
examiners (in-training and full-performance),
crime scene technicians, evidence technicians,
medicolegal death investigators, technical and
quality support staff, and any other staff.
Full-time employees (works at least 35
hours/week) _____
Part-time employees (works less than 35
hours/week) _____

-Replaced “Include managerial
staff, clerical/administrative
staff, analysts/examiners,
crime scene technicians,
technical support, and other
staff” with “Include managerial
staff, clerical or administrative
staff, analysts or examiners (intraining and full-performance),
crime scene technicians,
evidence technicians,
medicolegal death
investigators, technical and
quality support staff, and any
other staff.”

19. Consider replacing “works
at least 35 hours/week” and
“works less than 35
hours/week” with “as
defined by your laboratory”
given that there is variation
in how labs define full-time
and part-time employees.
Note, however, that parttime was defined as
working less than 35
hours/week on both the
2020 CPFFCL and 2014
CPFFCL.

Will pose question to front office. Agree
that labs are usually going to use their
definition.

Yes

TBD – Awaiting response from front office

Keep as is

8

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

-Added a definition of full-

time employees and part-time
employees.

C2. As of December 31, 2024, how many fulltime, part-time employees, and position
vacancies did your laboratory have in the
following categories? Report each employee in
only one category, based on primary function.

-Updated staffing categories
to match C1.

-Removed the “Total” rows

for Full-time staff, Part-time
staff, and Vacancies.

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

20. Replace “employees” with
“staff” for consistency with
other items that refer to
staff.

21. Add “Primary Function” in
the header row of the
staffing category column to
ensure that labs are
reporting based on staff’s
primary function.

Agree

22. Consider replacing “works
at least 35 hours/week” and
“works less than 35
hours/week” with “as
defined by your laboratory”
given that there is variation
in how labs define full-time
and part-time employees.
Note, however, that parttime was defined as
working less than 35
hours/week on both the
2020 CPFFCL and 2014
CPFFCL.

Will pose question to front office

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

TBD – Awaiting response from front office

Keep as is

23. Replace “employees” with
“staff” for consistency with
other items that refer to
staff.

9

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

C3. How many hires and separations of
personnel occurred within your laboratory in
2024?

-Replaced “of key personnel”

24. Update the question to
begin with “During the 2024
calendar year” instead of
ending the question with “in
2024.”

Keep as is. Recommend instead a general
instruction for the survey as is done with
other BJS surveys.

with “of personnel.”

-Replaced “Number of

personnel” column with
“Number of full-time
personnel” and “Number of
part-time personnel” columns.

25. Replace “Separations” with
“Separations – Voluntary
(excluding retirement),”
“Separations – Involuntary,”
and “Separations –
Retirement,” as was also
suggested by the expert
panel.
26. Replace “personnel” with
“staff” for consistency with
other items that refer to
staff.

Workload

If your laboratory is part of a multi-laboratory
system, please answer these questions for your
entire multi-laboratory system.
This section asks for information about your
laboratory’s workload. Please consider the
following definitions as you complete this
section.
•

Request – a submission of physical
evidence for analysis to a forensic
discipline unit from a single criminal
investigation or case. A case may
result in more than one request. For
example, a case may include
requests for toxicology, digital and
multimedia evidence, and forensic
biology that would be considered
three separate requests. Some
laboratories refer to a request as a
case request, forensic service
request, client request, or

-Updated the definition of
“Request.” The previous
definition was “A request for
analysis by a forensic
discipline/department/unit of
one or more items of evidence
from a single criminal
investigation (i.e., case). For
example, a case may result in
separate requests for
toxicology, digital evidence, or
forensic biology. Some labs
may refer to requests as
forensic service requests,
client requests, or
assignments.”
-Removed the definitions of
“Case,” “Item,” and “LIMS.”
-Added the definitions of
“Median turnaround time” and
“Outsourced request.”

27. In the definition of request,
replace “physical evidence”
with “physical or digital
evidence,” as was also
recommended in the
definition of a publicly
funded forensic crime
laboratory in the eligibility
criteria.
28. In the definition of median
turnaround time, replace
the word “for” with
“between.”

When you see “during 2024” or “in 2024”,
please consider January 1 through
December 31, 2024.

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)
Yes

2024 CPFFCL Item
C3. How many hires and separations of
personnel occurred within your laboratory in
2024?
a. Hires
b. Separations (voluntary, involuntary, and
retirement)

To avoid increased burden, recommend
not separating categories and saying
something such as –
Separations (voluntary, involuntary, and
retirement)
Keep as is

Agree

If your laboratory is part of a multi-laboratory
system, please answer these questions for
your entire multi-laboratory system.
This section asks for information about your
laboratory’s workload. For the purpose of this
survey, please use the following definitions as
you complete this section.

Agree

Discuss findings on pages 4-16 to 4-18
Is accepted the same as initial evidence
received?
7 of 9 labs start time is when initial
evidence is received

•

Request – a submission of physical
evidence for analysis to a forensic
discipline unit from a single
criminal investigation or case. A
case may result in more than one
request. For example, a case may
include requests for toxicology,
digital and multimedia evidence,
and forensic biology that would be
considered three separate
requests. Some laboratories refer
to a request as a case request,
forensic service request, client
request, or assignment. A request

10

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

•

•

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

assignment. A request may contain
more than one item of evidence.
Median turnaround time – number
of days from when the request is
accepted by your laboratory to
when the report is issued. Round to
the nearest whole day.
Outsourced request – a request
sent outside of your laboratory to
another public laboratory or to a
private, commercial, or university
laboratory.

D1. During 2024, did your laboratory perform
forensic functions with controlled substances
(e.g., seized drugs)?
•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to D4

BJS Recommendation/Decision
Did any labs indicate it starts when
assigned as opposed to accepted? 2009
CPFFCL cog testing used assigned as a
common start point.

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

•

What did the 9 labs say about the end date
they use?
•

-Moved question from the
Organization section.
-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”

may contain more than one item of
evidence.
Median turnaround time –
number of days from when the
first piece of evidence is received
by your laboratory to when the
report is issued. Round to the
nearest whole day.
Outsourced request – a request
sent outside of your laboratory to
another public laboratory or to a
private, commercial, or university
laboratory.

29. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”

Keep as is and add general instruction.

Yes

D1. During 2024, did your laboratory perform
forensic functions with controlled substances
(e.g., seized drugs)?
•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to D4

30. Consider whether “median
turnaround time” should be
replaced with “average
turnaround time” or
“turnaround time.”
However, per project
FORESIGHT, labs should be
able to provide median
turnaround time, and this is
further supported by
participants’ responses to
the probes in D1-D3. If
“median turnaround time”
is replaced with “average
turnaround time” or
“turnaround time,” this
change will also need to be
made in the definition at

Keep as median turnaround time

Yes

D2. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with controlled
substances (e.g., seized drugs)? Do not
include outsourced requests in your counts or
in your median turnaround time.

–Added “(e.g., seized drugs)”
after “controlled substances.”
D2. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with controlled
substances (e.g., seized drugs)? Do not include
outsourced requests in your counts or in your
median turnaround time.

-Changed question from a
large grid format.

a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__

–Added instruction to not
include outsourced requests in
counts or in median
turnaround time.

b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025

–Added “(e.g., seized drugs)”
after “controlled substances.”

–Replaced “Total number of
new requests received” with
“Total number of new requests
submitted to your laboratory.”
–Replaced “Total number of all
pending requests awaiting
analysis” with “Total number

a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by
your laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025

11

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__

of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or
longer.”

d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

the beginning of the
workload section.

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

–Added “Median turnaround
time for requests.”

If unable to calculate median turnaround time
using the provided definition, check here:__
D3. During 2024, how many requests for
controlled substances were outsourced by
your laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

-Added for 2024 CPFFCL per
expert panel; asked in 2002,
2005, and 2009 CPFFCL.

None.

If estimated,

D4. During 2024, did your laboratory perform
forensic functions with toxicology?
This includes:
•
Antemortem BAC analysis
•
Antemortem drug analysis
•
Postmortem analysis
•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to D8
D5. What specific functions with toxicology
did your laboratory perform? Mark yes or no
for each row.

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”

a. Antemortem BAC analysis
b. Antemortem drug analysis
c. Postmortem analysis
D6. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with toxicology. Do not
include outsourced requests in your counts or in
your median turnaround time.

-Changed question from a
large grid format.
–Added instruction to not
include outsourced requests in

What if lab outsourced these requests but
can’t/doesn’t provide counts? Okay to keep
as is, but just want to think through how
this will be handled.

31. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”

Yes

D3. During 2024, how many requests for
controlled substances were outsourced by
your laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

Yes

If estimated,

D4. During 2024, did your laboratory perform
forensic functions with toxicology?
This includes:
•
Antemortem BAC analysis
•
Antemortem drug analysis
•
Postmortem analysis

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, RTI
recommends replacing “with”
with “within,” for clarity.

Agree with recommendation

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, based
on the findings from D2, RTI
recommends that BJS consider
whether “median turnaround
time” should be replaced with

Keep as median turnaround time

Yes

•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to D8
D5. What specific functions within toxicology
did your laboratory perform? Mark yes or no
for each row.
a. Antemortem BAC analysis
b. Antemortem drug analysis
c. Postmortem analysis

Yes

D6. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with toxicology. Do
not include outsourced requests in your counts
or in your median turnaround time.

12

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__

counts or in median
turnaround time.

“average turnaround time” or
“turnaround time.” Note that per
project FORESIGHT, labs should
be able to provide median
turnaround time, and this is
further supported by participants’
responses to the probes in D1-D3.
If “median turnaround time” is
replaced with “average
turnaround time” or “turnaround
time,” this change will also need
to be made in the definition at
the beginning of the workload
section.

b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

–Replaced “Total number of
new requests received” with
“Total number of new requests
submitted to your laboratory.”
–Replaced “Total number of all
pending requests awaiting
analysis” with “Total number
of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or
longer.”

BJS Recommendation/Decision

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by
your laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

–Added “Median turnaround
time for requests.”

If unable to calculate median turnaround time
using the provided definition, check here:__
D7. During 2024, how many requests for
toxicology were outsourced by your
laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

Yes

If estimated,

D8. During 2024, did your laboratory perform
forensic functions with trace analysis?
This includes:
•
Chemical unknown analysis
•
Explosives analysis
•
Fiber examination
•
Fire debris analysis
•
Gunshot residue testing
•
Hair examination
•
Paint analysis
•
Glass analysis
•
Physical match/fracture match

D7. During 2024, how many requests for
toxicology were outsourced by your
laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”
-Added examples of specific
functions.

32. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”
33. Consider whether “Other
trace analysis” should be
removed since an “Other”
option is not provided for
other forensic functions,
and further, the list of
examples is not intended to
be exhaustive.

Yes

Agree.
Would keep in D9 though

If estimated,

D8. During 2024, did your laboratory perform
forensic functions with trace analysis?
This includes:
•
Chemical unknown analysis
•
Explosives analysis
•
Fiber examination
•
Fire debris analysis
•
Gunshot residue testing
•
Hair examination
•
Paint analysis
•
Glass analysis
•
Physical match/fracture match

13

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing
•

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

Other trace analysis

•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to D12
D9. What specific functions with trace analysis
did your laboratory perform? Mark yes or no
for each row.

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”
-Added “Glass analysis.”

D10. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with trace analysis. Do
not include outsourced requests in your counts
or in your median turnaround time.

-Changed question from a
large grid format.

b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

2024 CPFFCL Item

•
•

a. Chemical unknown analysis
b. Explosives analysis
c. Fiber examination
d. Fire debris analysis
e. Gunshot residue testing
f. Hair examination
g. Paint analysis
h. Glass analysis
i. Physical match/fracture match
j. Other trace analysis

a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, RTI
recommends replacing “with”
with “within,” for clarity.

Agree with recommendation

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, based
on the findings from D2, RTI
recommends that BJS consider
whether “median turnaround
time” should be replaced with
“average turnaround time” or
“turnaround time.” Note that per
project FORESIGHT, labs should
be able to provide median
turnaround time, and this is
further supported by participants’
responses to the probes in D1-D3.
If “median turnaround time” is
replaced with “average
turnaround time” or “turnaround
time,” this change will also need
to be made in the definition at
the beginning of the workload
section.

Keep as median turnaround time

Yes

-Replaced “Other trace” with
“Other trace analysis.”

–Replaced “Total number of
new requests received” with
“Total number of new requests
submitted to your laboratory.”
–Replaced “Total number of all
pending requests awaiting
analysis” with “Total number
of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or
longer.”
–Added “Median turnaround
time for requests.”

D9. What specific functions within trace
analysis did your laboratory perform? Mark
yes or no for each row.
a. Chemical unknown analysis
b. Explosives analysis
c. Fiber examination
d. Fire debris analysis
e. Gunshot residue testing
f. Hair examination
g. Paint analysis
h. Glass analysis
i. Physical match/fracture match
j. Other trace analysis

-Added “Physical
match/fracture match.”

–Added instruction to not
include outsourced requests in
counts or in median
turnaround time.

Yes
No -> Skip to D12

Yes

D10. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with trace analysis.
Do not include outsourced requests in your
counts or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by
your laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

14

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

D11. During 2024, how many requests for
trace analysis were outsourced by your
laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

Yes

D11. During 2024, how many requests for
trace analysis were outsourced by your
laboratory?

If estimated,

D12. During 2024, did your laboratory perform
forensic functions with impressions?
This includes:
•
Footwear examination
•
Tire tread examination

If unable to calculate median turnaround time
using the provided definition, check here:__

_____outsourced requests
check here___
-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”
-Added examples of specific
functions.

•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to D16
D13. What specific functions with impressions
did your laboratory perform? Mark yes or no
for each row.

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”

a. Footwear examination
b. Tire tread examination

-Replaced “Footwear analysis”
with “Footwear examination.”

34. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”

Yes

If estimated,

D12. During 2024, did your laboratory
perform forensic functions with impressions?
This includes:
•
Footwear examination
•
Tire tread examination

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, RTI
recommends replacing “with”
with “within,” for clarity.

Agree with recommendation

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, based
on the findings from D2, RTI
recommends that BJS consider
whether “median turnaround
time” should be replaced with
“average turnaround time” or
“turnaround time.” Note that per
project FORESIGHT, labs should
be able to provide median
turnaround time, and this is
further supported by participants’
responses to the probes in D1-D3.

Keep as median turnaround time

Yes

•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to D16
D13. What specific functions within
impressions did your laboratory perform?
Mark yes or no for each row.
a. Footwear examination
b. Tire tread examination

-Replaced “Tire tread
analysis” with “Tire tread
examination.”
D14. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with impressions. Do
not include outsourced requests in your counts
or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__

-Changed question from a
large grid format.
–Added instruction to not
include outsourced requests in
counts or in median
turnaround time.
–Replaced “Total number of
new requests received” with
“Total number of new requests
submitted to your laboratory.”

Yes

D14. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with impressions. Do
not include outsourced requests in your counts
or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by
your laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__

15

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

–Replaced “Total number of all
pending requests awaiting
analysis” with “Total number
of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or
longer.”

If “median turnaround time” is
replaced with “average
turnaround time” or “turnaround
time,” this change will also need
to be made in the definition at
the beginning of the workload
section.

BJS Recommendation/Decision

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

–Added “Median turnaround
time for requests.”

If unable to calculate median turnaround time
using the provided definition, check here:__
D15. During 2024, how many requests for
trace analysis were outsourced by your
laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

Yes
No -> Skip to D20

D17. What specific functions with firearms,
toolmarks, or ammunition did your laboratory
perform? Mark yes or no for each row.
a. Toolmarks
b. Firearms
c. Ammunition

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

Yes

If estimated,

D16. During 2024, did your laboratory perform
forensic functions with firearms, toolmarks, or
ammunition?
•
•

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL

D15. During 2024, how many requests for
trace analysis were outsourced by your
laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”
-Replaced
“firearms/toolmarks” with
“firearms, toolmarks, or
ammunition.”

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL

35. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”

Yes

36. Remove “ammunition”
given that firearms already
include ammunition and
this also remains consistent
with the forensic function
referenced in the 2020
CPFFCL.

Propose keeping as is

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, RTI
recommends replacing “with”
with “within,” for clarity.

Within doesn’t work here with objects not
analysis. Keep as with

D16. During 2024, did your laboratory
perform forensic functions with firearms,
toolmarks, or ammunition?
•
•

Yes

If estimated,

Yes
No -> Skip to D20

D17. What specific functions with firearms,
toolmarks, or ammunition did your
laboratory perform? Mark yes or no for each
row.
a. Toolmarks
b. Firearms
c. Ammunition

16

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

D18. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with firearms,
toolmarks, or ammunition. Do not include
outsourced requests in your counts or in your
median turnaround time.

-Changed question from a
large grid format.

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, based
on the findings from D2, RTI
recommends that BJS consider
whether “median turnaround
time” should be replaced with
“average turnaround time” or
“turnaround time.” Note that per
project FORESIGHT, labs should
be able to provide median
turnaround time, and this is
further supported by participants’
responses to the probes in D1-D3.
If “median turnaround time” is
replaced with “average
turnaround time” or “turnaround
time,” this change will also need
to be made in the definition at
the beginning of the workload
section.

Keep as median turnaround time

Yes

D18. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with firearms,
toolmarks, or ammunition. Do not include
outsourced requests in your counts or in your
median turnaround time.

a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

–Added instruction to not
include outsourced requests in
counts or in median
turnaround time.
–Replaced “Total number of
new requests received” with
“Total number of new requests
submitted to your laboratory.”
–Replaced “Total number of all
pending requests awaiting
analysis” with “Total number
of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or
longer.”

a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by
your laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__

–Added “Median turnaround
time for requests.”

d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__
If unable to calculate median turnaround time
using the provided definition, check here:__

D19. During 2024, how many requests for
firearms, toolmarks, or ammunition were
outsourced by your laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

Yes

If estimated,

D19. During 2024, how many requests for
firearms, toolmarks, or ammunition were
outsourced by your laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

D20. During 2024, did your laboratory perform
forensic functions with digital and multimedia
evidence?

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”

This includes:
•
Traditional cellphone (not
smartphone) analysis

-Added examples of specific
functions.

37. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”

Yes

Do not combine

If estimated,

D20. During 2024, did your laboratory
perform forensic functions with digital and
multimedia evidence?
This includes:
•
Traditional cellphone (not
smartphone) analysis

17

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Smartphone, tablet, or mobile
device analysis
Laptop or desktop computer
analysis
Thumb and external drives, CDs,
DVDs, or other storage media
analysis
GPS and navigation systems analysis
(black box)
Audio files analysis
Video analysis (e.g., CCTV, DVR)
Vehicle forensics
Cloud and server data (including
social media) analysis
Other analyses of digital/multimedia
evidence
Yes
No -> Skip to D24

D21. What specific functions with digital and
multimedia evidence did your laboratory
perform? Mark yes or no for each row.

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”

a. Traditional cellphone (not smartphone)
analysis
b. Smartphone, tablet, or mobile device
analysis
c. Laptop or desktop computer analysis
d. Thumb and external drives, CDs, DVDs, or
other storage media analysis
e. GPS and navigation systems analysis (black
box)
f. Audio files analysis
g. Video analysis (e.g., CCTV, DVR)
h. Vehicle forensics
i. Cloud and server data (including social media)
analysis
j. Other analyses of digital/multimedia evidence

-Added “(black box)” after
“GPS and navigation systems
analysis.”

D22. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with digital and

-Changed question from a
large grid format.

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

38. Combine “Audio files
analysis and “Video
analysis” to read, “Audio or
video files analysis (e.g.,
CCTV, DVR).”

Agree with removing example

39. Consider whether the
example of “black box”
should be removed.

Agree

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item
•
•

40. Consider whether “Other
analyses of
digital/multimedia
evidence” should be
removed since an “Other”
option is not provided for
other forensic functions,
and the list of examples is
not intended to be
exhaustive.

Would keep in D21 though

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, RTI
recommends replacing “with”
with “within,” for clarity.

Keep as with or change to something such
as within the analysis of digital and
multimedia evidence

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, based

Keep as median turnaround time

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Yes

Smartphone, tablet, or mobile
device analysis
Laptop or desktop computer
analysis
Thumb and external drives, CDs,
DVDs, or other storage media
analysis
GPS and navigation systems
analysis
Audio files analysis
Video analysis (e.g., CCTV, DVR)
Vehicle forensics
Cloud and server data (including
social media) analysis
Yes
No -> Skip to D24

D21. What specific functions with digital and
multimedia evidence did your laboratory
perform? Mark yes or no for each row.
a. Traditional cellphone (not smartphone)
analysis
b. Smartphone, tablet, or mobile device
analysis
c. Laptop or desktop computer analysis
d. Thumb and external drives, CDs, DVDs, or
other storage media analysis
e. GPS and navigation systems analysis
f. Audio files analysis
g. Video analysis (e.g., CCTV, DVR)
h. Vehicle forensics
i. Cloud and server data (including social
media) analysis
j. Other analyses of digital/multimedia
evidence

-Added “(e.g., CCTV, DVR)”
after “Video analysis.”
-Added “Vehicle forensics.”

Yes

D22. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with digital and

18

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing
multimedia evidence. Do not include
outsourced requests in your counts or in your
median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

–Added instruction to not
include outsourced requests in
counts or in median
turnaround time.
–Replaced “Total number of
new requests received” with
“Total number of new requests
submitted to your laboratory.”
–Replaced “Total number of all
pending requests awaiting
analysis” with “Total number
of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or
longer.”

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

on the findings from D2, RTI
recommends that BJS consider
whether “median turnaround
time” should be replaced with
“average turnaround time” or
“turnaround time.” Note that per
project FORESIGHT, labs should
be able to provide median
turnaround time, and this is
further supported by participants’
responses to the probes in D1-D3.
If “median turnaround time” is
replaced with “average
turnaround time” or “turnaround
time,” this change will also need
to be made in the definition at
the beginning of the workload
section.

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item
multimedia evidence. Do not include
outsourced requests in your counts or in your
median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by
your laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__

–Added “Median turnaround
time for requests.”

d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__
If unable to calculate median turnaround time
using the provided definition, check here:__

D23. During 2024, how many requests for
digital and multimedia evidence were
outsourced by your laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

Yes

If estimated,

D24. During 2024, did your laboratory perform
forensic functions with latent prints?
This includes:
•
Print development analysis
•
Comparisons analysis
•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to D28

D23. During 2024, how many requests for
digital and multimedia evidence were
outsourced by your laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”
-Added examples of specific
functions.

41. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”
42. Replace “Print development
analysis” with “Latent print
development.” Per RTI
subject matter expertise,
labs do not analyze the

Yes

Agree with recommendation

If estimated,

D24. During 2024, did your laboratory
perform forensic functions with latent
prints?
This includes:
•
Latent print development
•
Comparisons analysis
•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to D28

19

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, RTI
recommends replacing “with”
with “within,” for clarity.

Agree with recommendation

Yes

D25. What specific functions within latent
prints did your laboratory perform? Mark yes
or no for each row.

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, based
on the findings from D2, RTI
recommends that BJS consider
whether “median turnaround
time” should be replaced with
“average turnaround time” or
“turnaround time.” Note that per
project FORESIGHT, labs should
be able to provide median
turnaround time, and this is
further supported by participants’
responses to the probes in D1-D3.
If “median turnaround time” is
replaced with “average
turnaround time” or “turnaround
time,” this change will also need
to be made in the definition at
the beginning of the workload
section.

Keep as median turnaround time

development but instead,
they analyze the developed
print.
D25. What specific functions with latent prints
did your laboratory perform? Mark yes or no
for each row.

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”

a. Print development analysis
b. Comparisons analysis

-Replaced “Print development”
with “Print development
analysis.”

D26. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with latent prints. Do
not include outsourced requests in your counts
or in your median turnaround time.

-Changed question from a
large grid format.

a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

–Added instruction to not
include outsourced requests in
counts or in median
turnaround time.
–Replaced “Total number of
new requests received” with
“Total number of new requests
submitted to your laboratory.”
–Replaced “Total number of all
pending requests awaiting
analysis” with “Total number
of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or
longer.”

a. Latent print development
b. Comparisons analysis

Yes

D26. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with latent prints. Do
not include outsourced requests in your counts
or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by
your laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

–Added “Median turnaround
time for requests.”

If unable to calculate median turnaround time
using the provided definition, check here:__
D27. During 2024, how many requests for
digital and multimedia evidence were
outsourced by your laboratory?

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

Yes

D27. During 2024, how many requests for
digital and multimedia evidence were
outsourced by your laboratory?

20

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing
_____outsourced requests
check here___

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

If estimated,

D28. During 2024, did your laboratory perform
forensic functions with questioned
documents?

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”

This includes:
•
Handwriting analysis
•
Ink and paper analysis

-Added examples of specific
functions.

•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to D32
D29. What specific functions with questioned
documents did your laboratory perform? Mark
yes or no for each row.

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”

a. Handwriting analysis
b. Ink and paper analysis
D30. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with questioned
documents. Do not include outsourced requests
in your counts or in your median turnaround
time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024

-Changed question from a
large grid format.
–Added instruction to not
include outsourced requests in
counts or in median
turnaround time.
–Replaced “Total number of
new requests received” with
“Total number of new requests
submitted to your laboratory.”
–Replaced “Total number of all
pending requests awaiting
analysis” with “Total number
of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or
longer.”
–Added “Median turnaround
time for requests.”

43. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

Yes

D28. During 2024, did your laboratory
perform forensic functions with questioned
documents?

_____outsourced requests
check here___

If estimated,

This includes:
•
Handwriting analysis
•
Ink and paper analysis

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, RTI
recommends replacing “with”
with “within,” for clarity.

Keep as with

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, based
on the findings from D2, RTI
recommends that BJS consider
whether “median turnaround
time” should be replaced with
“average turnaround time” or
“turnaround time.” Note that per
project FORESIGHT, labs should
be able to provide median
turnaround time, and this is
further supported by participants’
responses to the probes in D1-D3.
If “median turnaround time” is
replaced with “average
turnaround time” or “turnaround
time,” this change will also need
to be made in the definition at
the beginning of the workload
section.

Keep as median turnaround time

Yes

•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to D32
D29. What specific functions with questioned
documents did your laboratory perform?
Mark yes or no for each row.
a. Handwriting analysis
b. Ink and paper analysis

Yes

D30. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with questioned
documents. Do not include outsourced
requests in your counts or in your median
turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by
your laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024

21

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

___days If estimated, check here:__

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item
___days If estimated, check here:__
If unable to calculate median turnaround time
using the provided definition, check here:__

D31. During 2024, how many requests for
questioned documents were outsourced by
your laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

Yes

If estimated,

D31. During 2024, how many requests for
questioned documents were outsourced by
your laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

D32. During 2024, did your laboratory perform
forensic functions with crime scene
investigation?

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”

This includes:
•
Evidence collection
•
Reconstruction (e.g., bloodstain
pattern analysis, scene)
•
Medicolegal death investigation
•
Forensic photography

-Added examples of specific
functions.

•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to D36
D33. What specific functions with crime scene
investigation did your laboratory perform?
Mark yes or no for each row.

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”

a. Evidence collection
b. Reconstruction (e.g., bloodstain pattern
analysis, scene)
c. Medicolegal death investigation
d. Forensic photography

-Replaced “Scene
reconstruction” with
“Reconstruction (e.g.,
bloodstain pattern analysis,
scene.”

44. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”

Yes

45. For simplicity, change
“Forensic photography” to
“photography.”

Agree with recommendation

46. Remove “Medicolegal death
investigation.”

Agree. Also for D33.

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, RTI
recommends replacing “with”
with “within,” for clarity.

Agree with recommendation

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, based
on the findings from D2, RTI
recommends that BJS consider

Keep as median turnaround time

If estimated,

D32. During 2024, did your laboratory
perform forensic functions with crime scene
investigation?
This includes:
•
Evidence collection
•
Reconstruction (e.g., bloodstain
pattern analysis, scene)
•
Photography
•
•

Yes

Yes
No -> Skip to D36

D33. What specific functions with crime
scene investigation did your laboratory
perform? Mark yes or no for each row.
a. Evidence collection
b. Reconstruction (e.g., bloodstain pattern
analysis, scene)
c. Photography

-Added “Medicolegal death
investigation” and “Forensic
photography.”
D34. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with crime scene
investigation. Do not include outsourced

-Changed question from a
large grid format.

Yes

D34. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with crime scene
investigation. Do not include outsourced

22

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

requests in your counts or in your median
turnaround time.

–Added instruction to not
include outsourced requests in
counts or in median
turnaround time.

whether “median turnaround
time” should be replaced with
“average turnaround time” or
“turnaround time.” Note that per
project FORESIGHT, labs should
be able to provide median
turnaround time, and this is
further supported by participants’
responses to the probes in D1-D3.
If “median turnaround time” is
replaced with “average
turnaround time” or “turnaround
time,” this change will also need
to be made in the definition at
the beginning of the workload
section.

a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

–Replaced “Total number of
new requests received” with
“Total number of new requests
submitted to your laboratory.”
–Replaced “Total number of all
pending requests awaiting
analysis” with “Total number
of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or
longer.”

BJS Recommendation/Decision

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item
requests in your counts or in your median
turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by
your laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__

–Added “Median turnaround
time for requests.”

d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__
If unable to calculate median turnaround time
using the provided definition, check here:__

D35. During 2024, how many requests for
crime scene investigation were outsourced by
your laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

This includes:
•
Casework analysis
•
DNA databasing (including convicted
offender, arrestee, or other DNA
samples)
•
Other analyses of forensic biology
Yes
No -> Skip to D42

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

Yes

If estimated,

D36. During 2024, did your laboratory perform
forensic functions with forensic biology?

•
•

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

D35. During 2024, how many requests for
crime scene investigation were outsourced
by your laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”
-Added examples of specific
functions.

47. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”
48. Include biological fluid
identification, DNA testing,
and sexual assault casework
as examples of casework
analysis.

Yes

Consider adding standard definition instead
of a few examples. Also open to adding
examples instead.
Okay with removing

If estimated,

D36. During 2024, did your laboratory
perform forensic functions with forensic
biology?
This includes:
•
Casework analysis (e.g., sexual
assault casework, biological fluid
identification, DNA testing)
•
DNA databasing (e.g., convicted
offender, arrestee, or other DNA
samples)

23

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

49. Consider whether “Other
analyses of forensic biology”
should be removed since an
“Other” option is not
provided for other forensic
functions, and the list of
examples is not intended to
be exhaustive.
D37. What specific functions with forensic
biology did your laboratory perform? Mark yes
or no for each row.

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”

a. Casework analysis
b. DNA databasing (including arrestee,
convicted offender, or other DNA samples)

-Replaced “Casework –
excluding sexual assault” with
“Casework analysis.

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, RTI
recommends replacing “with”
with “within,” for clarity and
replacing “Casework analysis”
with “Forensic biology casework
analysis.”

Keep as is

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, based
on the findings from D2, RTI
recommends that BJS consider
whether “median turnaround
time” should be replaced with
“average turnaround time” or
“turnaround time.” Note that per
project FORESIGHT, labs should
be able to provide median
turnaround time, and this is
further supported by participants’
responses to the probes in D1-D3.
If “median turnaround time” is

Keep as median turnaround time

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

Yes

D37. What specific functions with forensic
biology did your laboratory perform? Mark
yes or no for each row.

•
•

Yes
No -> Skip to D42

a. Casework analysis
b. DNA databasing (including arrestee,
convicted offender, or other DNA samples)

-Removed “Sexual assault
casework”, “Direct to DNA
approach”, and “Probabilistic
genotyping.”
-Combined “Convicted
offender DNA samples” and
“Arrestee DNA samples” into
“DNA databasing (including
convicted offender, arrestee,
or other DNA samples).”
D38. [If yes to casework analysis]: Please
provide the following counts for your
laboratory’s work with casework analysis. Do
not include outsourced requests in your counts
or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__

-Changed question from a
large grid format.
–Added instruction to not
include outsourced requests in
counts or in median
turnaround time.
–Replaced “Total number of
new requests received” with
“Total number of new requests
submitted to your laboratory.”

Yes

D38. [If yes to casework analysis]: Please
provide the following counts for your
laboratory’s work with casework analysis. Do
not include outsourced requests in your counts
or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by
your laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__

24

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

–Replaced “Total number of all
pending requests awaiting
analysis” with “Total number
of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or
longer.”

replaced with “average
turnaround time” or “turnaround
time,” this change will also need
to be made in the definition at
the beginning of the workload
section.

BJS Recommendation/Decision

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

–Added “Median turnaround
time for requests.”

If unable to calculate median turnaround time
using the provided definition, check here:__
D39. During 2024, how many requests for
casework analysis were outsourced by your
laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

Yes

If estimated,

D40. [If yes to casework analysis]: Please
provide the following counts for your
laboratory’s work with sexual assault
casework analysis. Do not include outsourced
requests in your counts or in your median
turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__

D39. During 2024, how many requests for
casework analysis were outsourced by your
laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

-Changed question from a
large grid format.
–Added instruction to not
include outsourced requests in
counts or in median
turnaround time.
–Replaced “Total number of
new requests received” with
“Total number of new requests
submitted to your laboratory.”
–Replaced “Total number of all
pending requests awaiting
analysis” with “Total number
of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or
longer.”
–Added “Median turnaround
time for requests.”

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, based
on the findings from D2, RTI
recommends that BJS consider
whether “median turnaround
time” should be replaced with
“average turnaround time” or
“turnaround time.” Note that per
project FORESIGHT, labs should
be able to provide median
turnaround time, and this is
further supported by participants’
responses to the probes in D1-D3.
If “median turnaround time” is
replaced with “average
turnaround time” or “turnaround
time,” this change will also need
to be made in the definition at
the beginning of the workload
section.

Keep as median turnaround time

Yes

If estimated,

D40. [If yes to casework analysis]: Please
provide the following counts for your
laboratory’s work with sexual assault
casework analysis. Do not include outsourced
requests in your counts or in your median
turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by
your laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__

25

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item
d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__
If unable to calculate median turnaround time
using the provided definition, check here:__

D41. During 2024, how many requests for
sexual assault casework analysis were
outsourced by your laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

D41. During 2024, how many requests for
sexual assault casework analysis were
outsourced by your laboratory?

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

If estimated,

D42. [If yes to DNA databasing]: What specific
functions within DNA databasing did your
laboratory perform? Mark yes or no for each
row.
a. Convicted offender DNA samples
b. Arrestee DNA samples
c. Other DNA samples
D43. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with DNA databasing.
Do not include outsourced requests in your
counts or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__

_____outsourced requests
check here___
-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”
-Replaced “Other DNA samples
analysis (e.g., missing persons,
paternity)” with “Other DNA
samples.”
-Changed question from a
large grid format.
–Added instruction to not
include outsourced requests in
counts or in median
turnaround time.
–Replaced “Total number of
new requests received” with
“Total number of new requests
submitted to your laboratory.”
–Replaced “Total number of all
pending requests awaiting
analysis” with “Total number
of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or
longer.”

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, RTI
recommends replacing “with”
with “within,” for clarity.

See proposed edits in question

Yes

If estimated,

D42. [If yes to DNA databasing]: What
specific functions within DNA databasing did
your laboratory perform? Mark yes or no for
each row.
a. Convicted offender DNA samples
b. Arrestee DNA samples
c. Other DNA samples

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, based
on the findings from D2, RTI
recommends that BJS consider
whether “median turnaround
time” should be replaced with
“average turnaround time” or
“turnaround time.” Note that per
project FORESIGHT, labs should
be able to provide median
turnaround time, and this is
further supported by participants’
responses to the probes in D1-D3.
If “median turnaround time” is
replaced with “average
turnaround time” or “turnaround
time,” this change will also need
to be made in the definition at

Keep as median turnaround time

Yes

D43. Please provide the following counts for
your laboratory’s work with DNA databasing.
Do not include outsourced requests in your
counts or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to
your laboratory in 2024
___new requests If estimated, check here:__
b. Total number of requests completed by
your laboratory in 2024
___ requests completed If estimated, check
here:__
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January
1, 2025
___pending requests If estimated, check
here:__

26

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__

–Added “Median turnaround
time for requests.”

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

the beginning of the workload
section.

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

d. Median turnaround time for requests
completed in 2024
___days If estimated, check here:__
If unable to calculate median turnaround time
using the provided definition, check here:__

D44. During 2024, how many requests for DNA
databasing were outsourced by your
laboratory?
_____outsourced requests
check here___

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

Yes

If estimated,

D45. During 2024, did your laboratory perform
other forensic functions not already captured
in D1-D36?
•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to D47
D46. If yes, what other forensic functions did
your laboratory perform?
__________________________
D47. During 2024, did your laboratory have a
mandated turnaround time for any of the
forensic functions it performed?
•
•

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

_____outsourced requests
check here___
-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

-Replaced “your individual
laboratory facility” with “your
laboratory.”

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

50. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”

Yes
No -> Skip to D48

D48. Please select all of the functions for
which your laboratory had a mandated
turnaround time in 2024. Mark all that apply.
•
Controlled substances
•
Toxicology
•
Antemortem BAC analysis

D44. During 2024, how many requests for
DNA databasing were outsourced by your
laboratory?

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

Yes

Yes

If estimated,

D45. During 2024, did your laboratory
perform other forensic functions not already
captured in D1-D36?
•
Yes
•
No -> Skip to D47
D46. If yes, what other forensic functions did
your laboratory perform?
__________________________
D47. During 2024, did your laboratory have a
turnaround time mandated by law for any of
the forensic functions it performed?

51. Replace “a mandated
turnaround time” with “a
turnaround time mandated
by law.”

Agree with recommendation

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, RTI
recommends replacing “in 2024”
with “During the 2024 calendar
year and replacing “a mandated
turnaround time” to “a

Keep as in 2024
Agree with new wording on turnaround
time

•
•

Yes
No -> Skip to D48

D48. Please select all of the functions for
which your laboratory had a turnaround time
mandated by law in 2024. Mark all that
apply.
•
Controlled substances
•
Toxicology

27

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

a. Commercial or private laboratory
b. Publicly funded laboratory
c. University laboratory (public or private)

D50. What was the reason your laboratory
outsourced requests in 2024? Mark all that
apply.
•
Did not source requests in 2024
•
Did not have the infrastructure to do
the work in-house
•
Did not have enough staff to do the
work in-house
•
Did not have enough funding to do
the work in-house
•
Outsourced as a cost-effective
method for accomplishing the work
•
Outsourced because access to
specialized experience was needed
•
Other (please specify)
_______________________

BJS Recommendation/Decision

turnaround time mandated by
law.”

Antemortem drug analysis
Postmortem analysis
Trace analysis
Impressions
Firearms/toolmarks/ammunition
Digital and multimedia evidence
Latent prints
Questioned documents
Crime scene investigation
Forensic biology
Casework analysis
Sexual assault casework analysis
DNA databasing

D49. During 2024, did your laboratory send
outsourced requests to any of the following
laboratory types? Mark yes or no for each
laboratory type.

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

-Replaced “where did your
laboratory send outsourced
requests” with “did your
laboratory send outsourced
requests to any of the
following laboratory types.”

Item was not tested during
cognitive testing, however, RTI
recommends replacing “in 2024”
with “During the 2024 calendar
year.”

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

52. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”
53. Consider whether
“Outsourced to reduce
turnaround time,” “Was not
accredited to do the work
in-house,” “Received
additional funding for
outsourcing,” and “Did not
have a validated method to
do the work in-house”
should be added to the list.

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

Yes

D49. During 2024, did your laboratory send
outsourced requests to any of the following
laboratory types? Mark yes or no for each
laboratory type.

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Antemortem BAC analysis
Antemortem drug analysis
Postmortem analysis
Trace analysis
Impressions
Firearms/toolmarks/ammunition
Digital and multimedia evidence
Latent prints
Questioned documents
Crime scene investigation
Forensic biology
Casework analysis
Sexual assault casework analysis
DNA databasing

a. Commercial or private laboratory
b. Publicly funded laboratory
c. University laboratory (public or private)

Some new categories seem to overlap
with existing categories, and could add
burden

D50. What was the reason your laboratory
outsourced requests in 2024? Mark all that
apply.
•
Did not source requests in 2024
•
Did not have enough staff to do
the work in-house
•
Did not have enough funding to do
the work in-house
•
Outsourced because access to
specialized experience was needed
•
Was not accredited to do the work
in-house
•
Received additional funding for
outsourcing
•
Did not have a validated method to
do the work in-house
•
Other (please specify)
_______________________

28

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing
Quality Assurance

E1. As of December 31, 2024, was your
laboratory required to be accredited? This
includes a requirement from local, state, or
federal jurisdictions you serve or from
legislatures.
•
Yes
•
No

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

-Replaced “did any of the
jurisdictions you serve require
accreditation” with “was your
laboratory required to be
accredited.”

54. For clarity and to reduce
burden, change the
question to “As of
December 31, 2024, was
your laboratory required to
be accredited by any local,
state, or federal
jurisdictions that you
serve?”

Agree with recommendation

-Added the clarifying text,

“This includes a requirement
from local, state, or federal
jurisdictions you serve or from
legislatures.”

E2. As of December 31, 2024, were any
disciplines in your laboratory accredited?
Mark one.
•
Yes, all disciplines in my laboratory
were accredited
•
Yes, some disciplines in my
laboratory were accredited
•
No, none of the disciplines in my
laboratory were accredited

-Replaced the Yes and No
response options.

E3. During 2024, did your laboratory have
resources dedicated primarily to research?
Research is experimentation aimed at the
discovery and interpretation of facts, the
revision of accepted methods, or practical
application of such new or revised methods or
technologies. Resources may include dollars,
work-hours, supplies, or other funding
dedicated specifically to supporting research.
•
Yes
•
No

None.

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

E4. During 2024, did your laboratory conduct
proficiency testing?

None.

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

•
•

Yes
No -> Skip to E6

None

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

E1. As of December 31, 2024, was your
laboratory required to be accredited by any
local, state, or federal jurisdictions that you
serve?
•
Yes
•
No

Yes

-Removed question on
accreditation type

E2. As of December 31, 2024, were any
disciplines in your laboratory accredited?
Mark one.
•
Yes, all disciplines in my laboratory
were accredited
•
Yes, some disciplines in my
laboratory were accredited
•
No, none of the disciplines in my
laboratory were accredited
E3. During 2024, did your laboratory have
resources dedicated primarily to research?
Research is experimentation aimed at the
discovery and interpretation of facts, the
revision of accepted methods, or practical
application of such new or revised methods or
technologies. Resources may include dollars,
work-hours, supplies, or other funding
dedicated specifically to supporting research.
•
Yes
•
No

Yes

E4. During 2024, did your laboratory conduct
proficiency testing?
•
•

Yes
No -> Skip to E6

29

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

E5. During 2024, which of the following
proficiency tests did your laboratory perform
internally or externally? Mark yes or no for
each row.

-Added response option of
“Documented performance
observation.”

None. Item was not tested during
cognitive testing.

BJS Recommendation/Decision

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)
Yes

a. Blind: analyst/examiner is not told which
case is for testing
b. Declared: analyst/examiner is told when they
are being tested
c. Random case reanalysis: random selection of
analyst/examiner’s prior casework for
reanalysis by another analyst/examiner
d. Round robin/challenge testing
e. Documented performance observation
E6. In 2024, at what level did your laboratory
perform technical reviews? A technical review
refers to a qualified second party’s evaluation
of reports, notes, data, and other
documentation to ensure there is appropriate
and sufficient support for resulting actions,
results, conclusions, opinions, and
interpretations. Include technical reviews that
are completed internally and technical reviews
that are outsourced. Mark one.
•
•
•
•

Technical reviews were performed
on none (0%) of the casework.
Technical reviews were performed
on some (less than 50%) of the
casework.
Technical reviews were performed
on most (more than 50%) of the
casework.
Technical reviews were performed
on all (100%) of the casework.

2024 CPFFCL Item
E5. During 2024, which of the following
proficiency tests did your laboratory perform
internally or externally? Mark yes or no for
each row.
a. Blind: analyst/examiner is not told which
case is for testing
b. Declared: analyst/examiner is told when
they are being tested
c. Random case reanalysis: random selection
of analyst/examiner’s prior casework for
reanalysis by another analyst/examiner
d. Round robin/challenge testing
e. Documented performance observation

-Updated response options
from “My laboratory
performed technical reviews
on none of the casework,” “My
laboratory performed
technical reviews on some of
the casework,” and “My
laboratory performed
technical reviews on all of the
casework.”

55. For consistency with the
other items, replace “In
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”
56. Add the following
instruction: “If your
laboratory’s level of
technical review is discipline
specific, please report the
average percent of technical
review across disciplines.”

Yes

Consider this instead –
If your laboratory’s technical reviews are
discipline specific, please consider the
average percent of technical reviews
performed across disciplines.

E6. In 2024, at what level did your laboratory
perform technical reviews? A technical
review refers to a qualified second party’s
evaluation of reports, notes, data, and other
documentation to ensure there is appropriate
and sufficient support for resulting actions,
results, conclusions, opinions, and
interpretations. Include technical reviews that
are completed internally and technical
reviews that are outsourced. If your
laboratory’s technical reviews are discipline
specific, please consider the average percent
of technical reviews performed across
disciplines. Mark one.
•
•
•
•

Technical reviews were performed
on none (0%) of the forensic
requests completed.
Technical reviews were performed
on some (less than 50%) of the
forensic requests completed.
Technical reviews were performed
on most (more than 50%) of the
forensic requests completed.
Technical reviews were performed
on all (100%) of the forensic
requests completed.

30

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

E7. As of December 31, 2024, did your
analysts/examiners have access to the
following safety and wellness resources? If
yes, indicate if your laboratory primarily
provided these resources directly or through an
external agency. Mark yes, directly; yes,
through an external agency; or no,
analysis/examiners did not have access to this
resource for each row.

None.

57. Add “preemptive and
ongoing training related to
stress, vicarious trauma,
and/or burnout” as
examples of “Proactive
resiliency programs.”

Don’t feel proactive needs explanation.
Simplify just to explain resiliency can be for
stress/trauma

58. Add “emotional support,
stress management, and
legal and financial support”
as examples of “Employee
assistance programs.”

To shorten/simplify, propose examples as -

a. Behavior/stress management
b. Employee assistance programs
c. Mental health debrief
d. Proactive resiliency programs
e. Web-based resources
f. Other resources (please specify)

59. Replace
“analysts/examiners” with
“staff in your laboratory.”
60. Consider adding “Physical
fitness/wellness
opportunities.”

Emerging Topics

F1. In 2024, did an officer of the court recall a
former analyst or examiner to provide
testimony from your laboratory?
•
•
•

Yes
No
Don’t know

F2. In 2024, did multiple analysts or
examiners, within the same discipline, work
on the same evidence in your laboratory,
regardless of whether they issued a report?
•
•

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

Yes
No

Agree

63. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”

Yes

2024 CPFFCL Item
E7. As of December 31, 2024, did staff in your
laboratory have access to the following
safety and wellness resources? If yes, indicate
if your laboratory primarily provided these
resources directly or through an external
agency. Mark yes, directly; yes, through an
external agency; or no, staff did not have
access to this resource for each row.
a. Employee assistance programs (e.g.,
emotional, stress, legal, or financial support)
b. Mental health debriefs
c. Proactive or preventative resiliency
programs (e.g., programs for stress or trauma)
d. Web-based resources
e. Other resources (please specify)

Prefer not to include

F1. In 2024, was a former analyst or
examiner requested to provide testimony
about work performed in your laboratory?

61. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”
62. For clarity, change the
question to “During the
2024 calendar year, was a
former analyst or examiner
requested to provide
testimony about work
performed in your
laboratory?”

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

emotional, stress, legal and financial
support

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

Agree with recommendation, but not to
include calendar year in question given
recommendation for general instruction

•
•
•

Yes
No
Don’t know

F2. In 2024, did multiple analysts or
examiners, within the same discipline,
perform work on the same evidence in your
laboratory, regardless of whether they issued
a report?
•

Yes

31

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

F3. In 2024, did your laboratory perform any
of the following procedures or use any of the
following technologies? Mark yes or no for
each row.

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

Forensic biology
a. Y-STR analysis
b. Mitochondrial DNA analysis
c. Expert systems
d. Rapid DNA
e. Familial DNA database searches
f. Forensic genealogy database searches
g. Forensic genealogy testing
h. Proteomics
i. Kinship
j. Robotics
k. LC-MS/MS for toxicology

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing

BJS Recommendation/Decision

64. For clarity, change the
question to “During the
2024 calendar year, did
multiple analysts or
examiners, within the same
discipline, perform work on
the same evidence in your
laboratory, regardless of
whether they issued a
report?”

Agree with recommendation, but exclude
calendar year

67. For clarity and to ensure
accurate data collection,
consider adding “in-house”
at the end of the question.

Other
l. 3D firearms imaging instrumentation
m. Cell source identification by pathology or
instrumental method
n. High resolution mass spectrometry (e.g.,
QTOF)
o. Breath alcohol calibration
p. Provide materials for canine training aids to
law enforcement (e.g., for drugs and explosives
detection)

F4. In 2024, was your laboratory in the process
of implementing or considering implementing

2024 CPFFCL Item
•

No

F3. In 2024, did your laboratory perform any
of the following procedures or use any of the
following technologies in-house? Mark yes or
no for each row.

65. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”
66. Replace “Expert systems”
with “Expert systems, or
software designed to
process data without
human intervention.”

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

Agree, but recommend this shorter
category
software to process data without human
intervention
Agree

Forensic biology
a. Y-STR analysis
b. Mitochondrial DNA analysis
c. Expert systems, or software to process data
without human intervention
d. Rapid DNA
e. Familial DNA database searches
f. Forensic genealogy database searches
g. Forensic genealogy testing
h. Proteomics
i. Kinship
j. Robotics
k. LC-MS/MS for toxicology
Other
l. 3D firearms imaging instrumentation
m. Cell source identification by pathology or
instrumental method
n. High resolution mass spectrometry (e.g.,
QTOF)
o. Breath alcohol calibration
p. Provide materials for canine training aids to
law enforcement (e.g., for drugs and
explosives detection)

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

68. For consistency with the
recommendation made

F4. In 2024, was your laboratory in the
process of implementing or considering

32

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

any of the following technologies? Mark yes or
no for each row.

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”

a. Mitochondrial DNA analysis
b. Expert Systems
c. LC-MS/MS for toxicology
d. Rapid DNA
e. 3D Firearms Imaging Instrumentation
f. High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (e.g.,
QTOF)
g. Other (please specify)

69. Replace “Expert Systems”
with “Expert systems, or
software designed to
process data without
human intervention.”
70. Update capitalization to be
consistent with F3.
71. For clarity and to ensure
accurate data collection,
consider adding “in-house”
at the end of the question.

F5. Please rank the following areas in order
from most to least important where 1 equals
the area where your laboratory has the
greatest need for additional funding and 4
equals the area where your laboratory has the
least need for additional funding.
___Personnel
___Equipment
___Supplies
___Other (please specify):___________

BJS Recommendation/Decision

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

72. Consider expanding the list
of categories to include
Training/Professional
Development, Travel,
Facilities/Infrastructure,
Research & Development,
and Outsourcing.
73. Given the Other specify box
and the possibility that a
respondent can list multiple
categories in the Other
specify box makes this
question a difficult rank
order question. Consider
replacing this question with
two questions: one that
asks where labs have the
greatest need for additional
funding and one that asks
where labs have the least

Agree with recommendation
Agree with recommendation

Okay with added these categories except
fort travel

Agree ranking could be a problem
Prefer option 2

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item
implementing any of the following
technologies in-house? Mark yes or no for
each row.
a. Mitochondrial DNA analysis
b. Expert systems, or software to process data
without human intervention
c. LC-MS/MS for toxicology
d. Rapid DNA
e. 3D firearms imaging instrumentation
f. High resolution mass spectrometry (e.g.,
QTOF)
g. Other (please specify)

F5. Please select the two asks where your
laboratory currently has the greatest need
for additional funding. Mark two.
___Personnel
___Equipment
___Supplies
___Training/Professional Development
___Facilities/Infrastructure
___Research & Development
___Outsourcing
___Other (please specify):___________

33

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing
need for additional funding.
Alternatively, consider
asking one question that
asks labs to select the two
areas where they have the
greatest need for additional
funding.

BJS Recommendation/Decision

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

Keep as is

74. Replace “personnel” with
“staffing” for consistency
with other items that refer
to staff.
F6. What are reasons that staff left your
laboratory in 2024? Mark all that apply.
•
•
•
•
•
•

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

Not applicable, no separations in
2024
Voluntary resignations
Dismissals
Retirements
Layoffs
Other (please specify): ___________

75. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”
76. Replace the first response
option with “There were no
separations during this
time” and move this to the
bottom of the list of
response options.
77. Consider moving this
question to the Staffing
section.

F7. What challenges, if any, did your
laboratory face in 2024? Mark all that apply.
•
•
•
•
•

Recruiting key personnel
High turnover in key personnel
Lack of resources or financial
support
Adapting to new or changing laws,
policies, or regulations
Other (please specify): ___________

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

Note: This question will be moved to the
Staffing section.
F6. What are reasons that staff left your
laboratory in 2024? Mark all that apply.
Agree
Include after separations (voluntary,
involuntary, and retirements)

Voluntary resignations
Dismissals
Retirements
Layoffs
Other (please specify):
___________

•

There were no separations (e.g.,
voluntary, involuntary, or
retirements) during this time

Agree with recommendation

F7. What challenges, if any, did your
laboratory face in 2024? Mark all that apply.

78. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”
79. Consider whether “key
personnel” should be
replaced with “staff.” If this
change is made, replace
“High turnover in key
personnel” with “High staff
turnover.”

•
•
•
•
•

Agree with recommendation
Also update to say Recruiting staff

•
•
•
•
•

Recruiting staff
High staff turnover
Lack of resources or financial
support
Adapting to new or changing laws,
policies, or regulations
Other (please specify):
___________

Recommend not including these three –

34

Proposed Item for 2024 CPFFCL PreCognitive Testing

Changes from 2020 CPFFCL

Recommendations Following
Cognitive Testing
80. Add the following to the list
of challenges: “Uncertainty
related to future funding,”
“Having to respond to a
natural disaster or
disruption,” or “Navigating
a facility issue or problem.”
81. Replace “personnel” with
“staff” for consistency with
other items that refer to
staff.

F8. What was the main challenge your
laboratory faced in 2024? Mark one.
•
•
•
•
•

-New proposed question for
2024 CPFFCL.

Recruiting key personnel
High turnover in key personnel
Lack of resources or financial
support
Adapting to new or changing laws,
policies, or regulations
Other (please specify): ___________

83. Update the list of response
options to match the
updated list of response
options in F7.

Your survey responses
The survey content or format
The manner of administration of the survey; or
Any other applicable information.

No changes.

None. Item is unchanged from
the 2020 CPFFCL was not tested
during cognitive testing.

Critical
Item?
(Yes/No)

2024 CPFFCL Item

Funding uncertainty could be lack of
financial support (okay if respondents want
to put that in other too)
Seems like navigating disruptions and
issues would be common and involve a
range of minor things (okay if respondents
put natural disaster in other)
Okay
F8. What was the main challenge your
laboratory faced in 2024? Mark one.

82. For consistency with the
recommendation made
previously, replace “During
2024” with “During the
2024 calendar year.”

84. Replace “personnel” with
“staff” for consistency with
other items that refer to
staff.
F9. Please write any comments you would like
to share with the Bureau of Justice Statistics
about:

BJS Recommendation/Decision

Okay

•
•
•
•

Okay

•

Recruiting staff
High staff turnover
Lack of resources or financial
support
Adapting to new or changing laws,
policies, or regulations
Other (please specify):
___________

F9. Please write any comments you would
like to share with the Bureau of Justice
Statistics about:
Your survey responses
The survey content or format
The manner of administration of the survey;
or
Any other applicable information.

35

Appendix B: Recruitment Materials
B-1:
B -2:
B -3:
B -4:
B -5:

Email Invitation
Follow-Up Email
Scheduling Email
Confirmation and Meeting Invite Email
Thank You Email

B-1

B-1 Email Invitation
Subject: Invitation to assist with developing the next Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories
Dear [NAME],
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is preparing to conduct the sixth Census of
Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL) on the operations of crime labs nationwide. This survey is
designed to gather national statistics on the personnel, budgets, workloads, and quality assurance practices of
crime laboratories during 2024. The findings from the last CPFFCL in 2020 are available in this BJS report.
With input from subject matter experts and stakeholders, BJS and RTI International have developed a new CPFFCL
survey and we are asking for your help to test and refine the questions before it is sent to all crime labs
nationwide. Your perspective will give us the information we need to finalize the survey to reduce burden while
producing meaningful, relevant, and timely statistics to serve the crime laboratory community.
If you agree to participate, we will provide you with a copy of the draft survey and ask that you participate in a
virtual interview. The interview is expected to last 60 to 90 minutes. During the interview, you and the interviewer
will review the questionnaire together and you will be asked for your feedback on the questions. For example, we
will ask if the questions make sense and how easy or difficult it would be for your laboratory to answer the
questions as asked. The feedback you provide will be carefully considered to improve the survey.
If you are willing to participate, please let me know by responding to this email. If you have any questions, I can
also be reached at 919-541-6705.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this invitation to support the CPFFCL.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Greenwell
RTI International
Recruitment Coordinator
Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories

2

B-2 Follow-Up Email
Email Subject: Reminder: Invitation to assist with developing the next Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime
Laboratories
Dear [NAME],
Recently, we emailed you to ask for your assistance in reviewing the new survey questions for the Census of
Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). We are asking for your
feedback to help test and refine the survey to reduce burden while producing meaningful, relevant, and timely
statistics to serve the crime laboratory community.
If you agree to participate, we will provide you with a copy of the draft survey and ask that you participate in a
virtual interview. The interviewer is expected to last 60 to 90 minutes.
During the interview, you and the interviewer will review the questionnaire together and you will be asked for
your feedback on the questions. For example, we will ask if the questions make sense and how easy or difficult it
would be for your laboratory to answer the questions as presented. The feedback you provide will be carefully
considered to improve the survey.
If you are willing to participate, please let me know by responding to this email. If you have any questions, I can
also be reached at 919-541-6705. If you have any questions or comments about the project in general, you can
also contact Matt Durose of BJS at matt.durose@usdoj.gov.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Greenwell
RTI International
Recruitment Coordinator
Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories

B-3

B-3 Scheduling Email
Subject: (use email invitation to reply and schedule)
Dear [NAME],
Thanks for confirming your interest in participating in a cognitive interview for the new CPFFCL survey.
As a next step, I’d like to schedule your cognitive interview. At your earliest convenience, could you please provide
some days and times that you are available for a virtual interview during the week of X?
Once we confirm an appointment time, I will send you a confirmation email and a calendar invitation with a Zoom
meeting link.
As a reminder, your interview is expected to last about 60 to 90 minutes.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about participating. You may also reach me by phone at
919-541-6705.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Greenwell
RTI International
Recruitment Coordinator
Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories

4

B-4 Confirmation and Meeting Invite Email

Subject: Cognitive Interview Confirmed
Dear [NAME],
Thank you for agreeing to assist us with developing the new survey for the Census of Publicly Funded
Forensic Crime Laboratories. We have scheduled your interview on [MM/DD/YYYY at 00:00 am/pm]
with [INTERVIEWER NAME].
The interview will be conducted via Zoom. To join the meeting, please click on the link below:
[ZOOM MEETING LINK]
I am also attaching two documents for your review. The first document is a copy of the CPFFCL
questionnaire for reference ahead of your scheduled interview session. You do not need to complete
the survey before the scheduled interview, but please review it ahead of time to gather any preliminary
thoughts or comments you would like to share with us. The second document provides more
information about the study, your rights as a participant, and the measures we are taking to keep the
feedback you share during your interview private. Your interviewer will review this with you at the
beginning of the interview.
If you have any questions about the interview process or attached documents, or if you need to
reschedule for any reason, you can contact me at kgreenwell@rti.org.
Best,
Kathryn Greenwell
Recruitment Coordinator
Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories

B-5

B-5 Thank You Email
Subject: Thank you!
Dear [NAME]:
On behalf of the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and RTI International, thank you for participating in an interview
to test the survey for the Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL) on [DATE]. We know that
you have many demands on your time, so we are very grateful that you generously offered your time and
expertise to assist us.
Your perspectives, along with those of the other subject matter experts and crime laboratory stakeholders we
interviewed, will help us refine the CPFFCL instrument in a way that will reduce burden while producing
meaningful, relevant, and timely statistics to serve the crime laboratory community.
You have our deepest appreciation for your invaluable insight, time, and expertise.
Should you have any questions about CPFFCL or have further thoughts to share, please do not hesitate to contact
me.
With many thanks,
Kathryn Greenwell
Recruitment Coordinator
Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories

6

CPFFCL Cognitive Testing Report

Appendix C: Interview Materials
C-1:
C-2:

Consent Form
Cognitive Interview Protocol

C-1

C-1

Consent Form

2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories
Cognitive Testing Informed Consent

What is the purpose of the interview? The interview is being conducted to develop and test the survey
questions for the next Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime
Laboratories (CPFFCL). The purpose of the interview is to gather feedback to help us improve the survey
questions. This will help to ensure that the CPFFCL helps produce meaningful, relevant, and timely
statistics to serve the crime laboratory community.
What will happen during the interview? The interview will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes.
During the interview, you and the interviewer will review the questionnaire together and you will be
asked for your feedback on the questions. For example, the interviewer will ask if the questions make
sense and how easy or difficult it would be for your laboratory to answer the questions as written. The
interview will also involve audio recording your comments for later analysis. The audio recording will
only be heard by project staff and your name will not be used in any reports. You can choose not to be
audio recorded.
Why was I chosen? You were chosen because you expressed interest in participating, your laboratory or
laboratory system was eligible to participate in this effort, and because you are a forensic crime laboratory
stakeholder. Participants represent the types of people who will take part in the CPFFCL.
Are there risks? There is no expected risk to participating in this study. Any information that is learned
during this discussion will not be shared with anyone outside BJS and RTI.
Are there benefits? There are no expected direct benefits to you for participating in this study. However,
by sharing your feedback, you will help improve the survey which will also help to produce meaningful,
relevant, and timely statistics.
What will I get for participating? By participating, you will make an important contribution to
developing the survey questions for the next CPFFCL.
Do I have to participate? Participation in this interview is entirely voluntary. You can stop the
interview at any time. You can also choose not to answer any question.
Will this be kept private? Participants’ names and other identifying information will not be used in the
cognitive interviewing report.
Whom do I call if I have questions? If you have any questions, you can call the project director,
BeLinda Weimer. Her number is 919-485-7706. If you have any questions about your rights in taking part
in this study, you can call RTI's Office of Research Protection at 1-866-214-2043 (this is a toll-free call).
By participating in this interview, you consent to BJS and RTI using your answers to inform the survey.
You are also acknowledging receipt of this consent form. If there is any part of this form that is not clear
to you, be sure to ask about it before you consent.

2

C-2

Cognitive Interview Protocol

Participant ID
Date of Interview
Name of Interviewer
[NOTE: PARTICIPANT IS ENCOURAGED TO HAVE THEIR VIDEO ON BUT IS NOT
REQUIRED.]
Introduction (5-7 minutes)
Hello. Thank you so much for taking the time to participate in this interview today. My name is
{INTERVIEWER NAME} and I work with RTI International, a nonprofit research organization. The Bureau of
Justice Statistics, or BJS, has partnered with RTI to develop the survey for the upcoming Census of Publicly
Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories.
Before we get started, I want to confirm whether you’ve joined the call from a desktop or laptop. This is
important because I will be sharing my screen with you and we will be looking at the survey together.
[IF YES]  PROCEED WITH INTRO
[IF NO]  REQUEST THAT THEY JOIN VIA DESKTOP OR LAPTOP. IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO
JOIN VIA A DESKTOP OR LAPTOP, SEE IF THEY ARE ABLE TO RESCHEDULE FOR A
DIFFERENT DATE AND TIME.
You should have received a consent form that was attached to your confirmation email. Did you have a
chance to review that consent form?
[IF YES]  Do you have any questions about anything that you read on the form?
[IF NO]  No problem. We will review the form together now.
[REVIEW THE INFORMED CONSENT FOR INTERVIEWERS FORM WITH THE PARTICIPANT (DO NOT
NEEDT TO SCREEN SHARE), OBTAIN THEIR PERMISSION TO CONTINUE WITH THE INTERVIEW AND
TO AUDIO RECORD THE DISCUSSION.]
[IF CONSENT TO RECORD WAS GIVEN DURING CONSENT PROCESS, TURN ON RECORDING]
[State respondent ID number and date, confirm consent on recording: Do you agree to participate in
the interview today? Is it okay if I record our conversation?]
You should have also received a PDF version of the draft survey. Did you have an opportunity to review this
survey before today’s interview?
[IF YES]  Great. Thank you.
[IF NO]  That’s alright. We’ll be reviewing the questions together as part of today’s interview.
Next, I’m going to tell you a little bit more about what you can expect today. As mentioned in the consent
form, the purpose of this interview is to test some of the questions that we are considering including in the
survey. We want to find out how well these questions work and whether we should consider making any
changes.
During our time together, I will share my screen with you and we will look at a sub-set of the survey
questions. I will ask you to read each question aloud and I will then ask you some follow-up questions to help
me understand how you are interpreting the question and if there is anything that is confusing or unclear. If
there is a question that you’d like to provide feedback on that I do not ask about, please let me know.

C-3

For today’s interview, you do not need to answer the questions (or provide exact numbers) for your
laboratory. This is because at this point, it’s more important for us to understand how you’re interpreting the
question and how easy or difficult the question is rather than your actual answer. If there’s information that is
being asked about that you wouldn’t think you would be able to provide or that would be particularly
burdensome to provide, please let me know as that’s exactly the type of information we want to know. Also,
during today’s interview, I’d like to ask that you think about all of your lab experiences, particularly if you
have worked at more than one lab.
There are no right or wrong answers to the questions. Our goal is to make sure that the questions make sense
and that people like yourself can answer them and follow the questionnaire instructions relatively easily. You
can help us by pointing out anything you find confusing or unclear. If something doesn't make sense, please
let me know. I also want to say that I was not involved in writing the survey questions, so please be open and
honest when sharing your thoughts or any reactions that you have.
I want to let you know that this interview is voluntary; you can skip any question or stop the interview at any
point. The information you provide will not be shared outside the study team.
Do you have any questions? [ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS]
Ok. Let’s get started. I’m going to go ahead and share my screen with you so that we can look at the survey
questions together, at the same time.
[SHARE INSTRUMENT TO BE DISPLAYED] Is that font size comfortable for you to read?

Module 1: Eligibility (5 minutes)
The first part that we will look at together is the eligibility criteria for the survey. Please read these two
paragraphs out loud, then read the answer choices to yourself. When you’re ready, I will ask you a few followup questions.

This census is directed to forensic crime laboratories that are solely operated by government funds or whose parent organization is a
government agency. As of December 31, 2024, if the following condition applies to your agency, you are eligible to complete the
questionnaire.
A publicly funded crime laboratory that employs one or more full-time analysts whose principal function is the examination of physical
evidence in criminal or investigative matters and that provides reports and testimony to courts of law with respect to such evidence.
This definition does not include operations that engage exclusively in evidence collection and documentation, such as fingerprint
recovery and development, crime scene response, and photography.
 Yes, this condition applies to your laboratory. Please complete the questionnaire.
 No, this condition does not apply to your laboratory. You do not need to complete the questionnaire. Please return this form.
 Your laboratory no longer exists as of December 31, 2024. You do not need to complete the questionnaire. Please return this
form.

PROBE

1. In the second paragraph is a definition of a publicly funded
crime laboratory. Is this definition clear or are there any parts of
the definition unclear or confusing?
Which parts of the definition are
unclear or confusing?
2. How certain or uncertain are you that you would be eligible to
complete this survey?
What makes you uncertain?

B-28

NOTES

Thank you. Let’s get started with the survey. Once you’re ready to begin, please read A1 and A2 aloud, then I
will ask you a few follow-up questions. As a reminder, you do not need to answer the questions for your
laboratory for today’s interview.

Module 2: Section A: Organization (7 minutes)
A1.

As of December 31, 2024, was your laboratory part of a multi-laboratory system? A multi-laboratory system is defined as two or
more separate laboratory entities that are overseen by a single organization.
 Yes
 No → Skip to A3
A2. As of December 31, 2024, how many distinct laboratories were in your multi-laboratory system? Include your own
laboratory in this total.
Laboratories

PROBE

1. Is your laboratory part of a multi-laboratory system?

NOTES

: How easy or difficult would it be for you to answer the
survey about your entire multi-laboratory system? What would make it difficult?
2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read A4 aloud. You may read the answer choices to yourself.
A4.

Which of the following best describes the agency that has administrative oversight of your laboratory? Administrative oversight
is defined as a ‘parent’ agency that has staffing and budgetary oversight over your laboratory. Mark one.
 Law enforcement entity (e.g., department or division of public safety, Department of Justice)
 Department or division of forensic science
 Government attorney’s office (e.g., district attorney)
 Public health agency (e.g., department or division of public health, medical examiner office)
 Other (please specify)

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that are unclear or
confusing?
Which parts are unclear or
confusing?

NOTES

2. What about the definition of “administrative oversight”? Is this
definition clear or are there any parts that you found to be
unclear or confusing?
Which parts are unclear or
confusing?
3. Are these response options clear or are any of them unclear or
confusing?
Which one(s) is unclear or
confusing?
4. To your knowledge, is there ever a situation in which multiple
agencies have administrative oversight over a laboratory?
5. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

C-5

Next, please read A5 and A6 aloud, then I will ask you a few follow-up questions.
A5. Does your laboratory have oversight from a forensic science board or commission?
 Yes
 No → Skip to A7
A6. Does the forensic science board or commission have a regulatory or advisory role? Mark one.
 Regulatory role
 Advisory role

PROBE

1. Are these questions clear or is there anything that you found
unclear or confusing?
Which parts are unclear or
confusing?

NOTES

2. What does “oversight” mean to you as its used in A5?
3. A6 asks whether the forensic science board or commission has
a regulatory or advisory role. Does regulatory role and advisory
role mean the same thing to you or do these mean different
things?
How are these different in your mind?
4. Do you know whether a laboratory can have oversight from
any entity other than a forensic science board or commission?
5. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Next, please read A7 and A8 aloud. For A8, you can read the list of functions to yourself and then let me know
once you’re ready for follow-up questions.

B-28

A7.

As of December 31, 2024, did your laboratory have a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)? LIMS is a
computerized system used to manage, compile, or track requests and/or evidence. If your laboratory’s LIMS is only deployed for
certain disciplines, or is being upgraded or installed, please select “Yes.”
 Yes
 No → Skip to A9
A8. During 2024, did your laboratory use LIMS for any of the following functions? Mark yes or no for each row.
a. Tracking by item
b. Tracking by request
c. Tracking by law enforcement case number
d. Tracking by laboratory case number
e. Tracking by criminal offense (e.g., homicide or robbery)
f. Calculating turnaround time by item
g. Calculating average turnaround time by section
h. Calculating average turnaround time for the overall laboratory
i. Tracking by criminal case status
j. Interfacing with laboratory instrumentation
k. Monitoring backlog
l. Documenting chain of custody
m. Generating reports
n. Paperless reporting
o. Generating discovery

PROBE

1. Are these functions clear or are any of them unclear or
confusing?
Which functions are unclear or
confusing?

Yes
















No
















NOTES

2. Are there any changes you would suggest that we make to this
list of functions?
Any functions that should be added to this list?
Removed from this list?
3. RECORD ANY PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Next, please read A9. You can read the list of databases to yourself and then let me know once you’re ready
for follow-up questions.

A9.

During 2024, did your laboratory use any of the following databases? Mark yes or no for each row.
a. Paint Data Query (PDQ)
b. National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN)
c. Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)
d. Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
e. Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS)
f. Ignitable Liquids Reference Collection (ILRC)

Yes







No







C-7

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that you found to
be unclear or confusing?
Which parts are unclear or
confusing?

NOTES

2. Are there any changes you would suggest we make to this list
of databases?
Any databases that should be added to this list?
Removed from this list?
3. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Let’s move to the next question.

Module 3: Section B: Budget (5 minutes)
We’ll now move to the section on Budget. Please read B1 aloud. You can read the list of funding sources to
yourself and then let me know once you’re ready for follow-up questions.
B1.

During the fiscal year that included December 31, 2024, did your laboratory receive funding from any of the following sources?
Mark yes or no for each row.
Yes







a. Asset forfeitures
b. Fees for case processing and other services
c. Federal grants
d. State grants
e. City, county, or local grants
f. Donations from organizations, families, or individuals

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that you found
unclear or confusing?
Which parts are unclear or
confusing?

No







NOTES

2. How about the list of funding sources – are these funding
sources clear or are there any that are unclear or confusing?
Which source or sources are
unclear or confusing?
3. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read B2 aloud.
B2.

What was the total operating budget for your laboratory for the fiscal year that included December 31, 2024?
19. Include funding received from all sources, including any asset forfeitures, fees, grants, donations, or other revenue sources.
20. Include outsourcing costs associated with contracting or procuring services from another public, private, commercial, or
university laboratory to accomplish laboratory functions.
21. Do not include funding for building construction or major equipment purchases, defined as nonexpendable items that have a
useful life of more than two years and cost more than $5,000.
If you do not know the total operating budget, please provide your best estimate.

$

B-28

,

,

If estimated, check here:

PROBE

NOTES

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that you found
unclear or confusing?
Which parts are unclear or
confusing?
2. What about the guidance on what to include and what not to
include? Is this clear or is there anything that is unclear or
confusing?
Which parts are unclear or
confusing?
3. How easy or difficult would it be for you to provide your
laboratory’s total operating budget? What would be involved in
obtaining these numbers for your laboratory?

4. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read B3 aloud.
Please go ahead and read the expenditure categories to yourself.
B3.

What were your laboratory’s expenditures for the fiscal year that included December 31, 2024? If you do not know your
laboratory’s expenditures, please provide your best estimate.
Expenditures

If estimated, check here:

a. Personnel – total amount spent on
annual salaries and fringe benefits for all
employees

$

,

,

b. Equipment – total amount spent on
nonexpendable items that have a useful
life of more than two years and cost
more than $5,000

$

,

,

c. Supplies – total amount spent on
materials that are expendable, consumed
during the course of the year, and cost
less than $5,000

$

,

,

$

,

,

$

,

,

d. Other expenditures
e. Total expenditures (sum a-d)

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that you found to
be unclear or confusing?
Which parts are unclear or
confusing?

NOTES

2. What about the definitions of the categories, personnel,
equipment, and supplies. Are these definitions clear or is there
anything that is unclear or confusing?
Which parts are unclear or
confusing?

C-9

3. How easy or difficult would it be for you to provide your
laboratory’s expenditures for each of the categories? What would
be involved in obtaining these numbers for your laboratory?

4. So far in 2024, did your laboratory outsource any requests
outside of your laboratory? This could be outsourcing to another
public laboratory or to a private, commercial, or university
laboratory.
, would it be helpful or unhelpful to have Outsourcing
expenditures listed as a separate category?
5. What types of expenditures (if any) would you include in the
Other expenditures category?
6. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Let’s move to the next question.

Module 4: Section C: Staffing (5 minutes)
We’ll now move to the section on Staffing. Please read C1 aloud.
C1.

As of December 31, 2024, how many full-time and part-time employees did your laboratory have? Include managerial staff,
clerical or administrative staff, analysts or examiners (in-training and full-performance), crime scene technicians, evidence
technicians, medicolegal death investigators, technical and quality support staff, and any other staff.
Full-time employees (works at least 35 hours/week)
Part-time employees (works less than 35 hours/week)

PROBE

1. This question defines full-time employees as working at least
35 hours per week. Is this consistent with how your laboratory
defines full-time employees?
How does your lab define full-time employees?

NOTES

2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read C2 aloud.
Please go ahead and read the staffing categories to yourself and let
me know when you’re ready.

B-28

C2.

As of December 31, 2024, how many full-time employees, part-time employees, and position vacancies did your laboratory
have in the following categories? Report each employee in only one category, based on primary function.
Full-time
(works at least 35
hours/week)

Part-time
(works less than 35
hours/week)

b. Clerical or administrative staff
c. Analyst or examiner in-training
d. Analyst or examiner full-performance
e. Crime scene technician
f. Evidence technician
g. Medicolegal death investigator
h. Technical and quality support staff
(e.g., laboratory technicians, quality
specialists)
i. Other staff

1. Let’s take a look at the different positions/staff types listed
here on the lefthand side. Are any of these positions unclear or
confusing to you?
Which positions are unclear or
confusing?

My laboratory
does not have
any staff in this
category

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

a. Managerial staff

PROBE

Vacancies

o
NOTES

2. In your mind, what is the difference between an “evidence
technician” and a “laboratory technician”?
3. How easy or difficult do you think it would be to answer this
question for your laboratory and provide the counts of each of
these categories of employees? Are there any employee
categories for which your laboratory would have trouble providing
counts? Are there any scenarios here where you would not know
which category to put an employee?
What would make it difficult?
4. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read C3 aloud.

C-11

C3.

How many hires and separations of personnel occurred within your laboratory in 2024?

a. Hires

Number of Full-Time
Personnel

Number of Part-Time
Personnel

If estimated, check here:

b. Separations

PROBE

1. Do you have any comments or reactions to this question?

NOTES

2. What would be involved in providing counts for this question?
3. RECORD ANY PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Let’s move to the next section, which is on your laboratory’s workload. Please go ahead and read the
information presented on the screen out loud.

B-28

Module 5: Section D: Workload (15-20 minutes)
This section asks for information about your laboratory’s workload. Please consider the following definitions as you complete this
section.
•
Request – a submission of physical evidence for analysis to a forensic discipline unit from a single criminal investigation or case.
A case may result in more than one request. For example, a case may include requests for toxicology, digital and multimedia
evidence, and forensic biology that would be considered three separate requests. Some laboratories refer to a request as a case
request, forensic service request, client request, or assignment. A request may contain more than one item of evidence.
•
Median turnaround time – number of days for when the request is accepted by your laboratory to when the report is issued.
Round to the nearest whole day.
•
Outsourced request – a request sent outside of your laboratory to another public laboratory or to a private, commercial, or
university laboratory.

PROBE

1. Do you have any comments or reactions to these definitions?

NOTES

2. Are these definitions clear, or are there any parts that are
unclear or confusing?
Which parts are unclear or
confusing?
3. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read D1, D2, and D3 aloud, then I will ask you some follow-up questions.
D1.

During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with controlled substances (e.g., seized drugs)?
 Yes
 No → Skip to D4
D2. Please provide the following counts for your laboratory’s work with controlled substances (e.g., seized drugs). Do not
include outsourced requests in your counts or in your median turnaround time.
a. Total number of new requests submitted to your
laboratory in 2024
b. Total number of requests completed by your
laboratory in 2024
c. Total number of pending requests that were
unreported for 30 days or longer as of January 1,
2025
d. Median turnaround time for requests completed
in 2024

new requests
requests completed
pending requests
days

If estimated, check here:
If estimated, check here:
If estimated, check here:
If estimated, check here:

D3. During 2024, how many requests for controlled substances (e.g., seized drugs) were outsourced by your laboratory?
Outsourced requests

If estimated, check here:

PROBE

1. Are these questions clear, or are there any parts that are unclear or
confusing?
Which parts are unclear or confusing?

NOTES

2. In this section, we ask for labs to calculate median turnaround time.
You may recall that at the beginning of this section, we defined median
turnaround time as “number of days for when the request is accepted by
your laboratory to when the report is issued.” Is your laboratory able to

C-13

calculate median turnaround time? If so, is this done using your LIMS, or a
different way?
3. What challenges, if any, might laboratories have with calculating their
median turnaround time for this survey?
4. Is our definition of median turnaround time consistent with how your
laboratory typically calculates median turnaround time?
How is our definition different from how your
laboratory typically calculates median turnaround time?
5. When calculating median turnaround time, do you consider the start
date when the initial evidence is received from a request, or the last piece
of evidence is received?
6. In this section, we also ask that labs do not include outsourced requests
in their counts of those received and completed and in the median
turnaround time. Does your lab typically include or exclude outsourced
requests when calculating this information?
7. Did you notice the check estimate box? Would your laboratory need to
use it for providing a count for any of these four items on the screen? If
so, which ones would you provide an estimate for?
8. How easy or difficult do you think it would be for your laboratory to
provide the information that is being requested for each function your lab
performed in 2024? For each function that I list, please tell me if your
laboratory performed this function in 2024 and if so, how easy or difficult
it would be for your laboratory to provide the information requested in D2.

Controlled substances
Toxicology
Trace analysis
Impressions
Firearms, toolmarks, or ammunition
Digital and multimedia evidence
Latent prints
Questioned documents
Crime scene investigation
Forensic biology casework analysis
Sexual assault casework analysis
DNA databasing
What would make it difficult?
9. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read D4 aloud.
D4.

During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with toxicology?
This includes:

PROBE

•
•
•

Antemortem BAC analysis
Antemortem drug analysis
Postmortem analysis

1. Do you have any thoughts, reactions, or suggested changes to this
question?

B-28

NOTES

2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read D8 aloud. You can read the list of examples to yourself.
D8.

During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with trace analysis?
This includes:
•
Chemical unknown analysis
•
Explosives analysis
•
Fiber examination
•
Fire debris analysis
•
Gunshot residue testing
•
Hair examination
•
Paint analysis
•
Glass analysis
•
Physical match/fracture match
•
Other trace analysis

PROBE

1. Do you have any thoughts, reactions, or suggested changes to
the examples of trace analysis presented here?

NOTES

2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read D12 aloud.
D12. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with impressions?
This includes:

•
•

Footwear examination
Tire tread examination

PROBE

1. Do you have any thoughts, reactions, or suggested changes to
the examples of impressions presented here?

NOTES

2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read D16 aloud.
D16. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with firearms, toolmarks, or ammunition?

PROBE

1. Do you have any thoughts, reactions, or suggested changes to
the examples of impressions presented here?

NOTES

2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read D20 aloud. You can read the list of examples to yourself.

C-15

D20. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with digital and multimedia evidence?
This includes:

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Traditional cellphone (not smartphone) analysis
Smartphone, tablet, or mobile device analysis
Laptop or desktop computer analysis
Thumb and external drives, CDs, DVDs, or other storage media analysis
GPS and navigation systems analysis (black box)
Audio files analysis
Video analysis (e.g., CCTV, DVR)
Vehicle forensics
Cloud and server data (including social media) analysis
Other analyses of digital/multimedia evidence

PROBE

1. Do you have any thoughts, reactions, or suggested changes to
the examples of digital and multimedia evidence presented here?

NOTES

2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read D24 aloud.
D24. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with latent prints?
This includes:

•
•

Print development analysis
Comparisons analysis

PROBE

1. Do you have any thoughts, reactions, or suggested changes to
the examples of latent prints presented here?

NOTES

2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read D28 aloud.
D28. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with questioned documents?
This includes:

•
•

Handwriting analysis
Ink and paper analysis

PROBE

1. Do you have any thoughts, reactions, or suggested changes to
the examples of questioned documents presented here?

NOTES

2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read D32 aloud. You can read the list of examples to yourself.

B-28

D32. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with crime scene investigation?
This includes:

•
•
•
•

Evidence collection
Reconstruction (e.g., bloodstain pattern analysis, scene)
Medicolegal death investigation
Forensic photography

PROBE

1. Do you have any thoughts, reactions, or suggested changes to
the examples of crime scene investigation presented here?

NOTES

2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read D36 aloud. You can read the list of examples to yourself.
D36. During 2024, did your laboratory perform forensic functions with forensic biology?
This includes:

•
•
•

Casework analysis
DNA databasing (including convicted offender, arrestee, or other DNA samples)
Other analyses of forensic biology

PROBE

1. Do you have any thoughts, reactions, or suggested changes to
the examples of forensic biology presented here?

NOTES

2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read D47 aloud.
D47. During 2024, did your laboratory have a mandated turnaround time for any of the forensic functions it performed?
 Yes
 No

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that are unclear or
confusing?
Which part(s) are unclear or
confusing?

NOTES

2. How easy or difficult would it be for you to select the specific
functions for which your laboratory had a mandated turnaround
time in 2024?
What would make it difficult?
3. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read D50 aloud. You may read the list of reasons to yourself.

C-17

D50. What was the reason your laboratory outsourced requests in 2024? Mark all that apply.
Did not outsource requests in 2024
Did not have the infrastructure to do the work in-house
Did not have enough staff to do the work in-house
Did not have enough funding to do the work in-house
Outsourced as a cost-effective method for accomplishing the work
Outsourced because access to specialized experience was needed
Other (please specify)

PROBE

1. Are there any reasons for why a laboratory might outsource
requests that are not already included in this list?

NOTES

2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Module 6: Section E: Quality Assurance (7 minutes)
Let’s move to the next section, which is on Quality Assurance. Please read E1 aloud.
E1.

As of December 31, 2024, was your laboratory required to be accredited? This includes a requirement from local, state, or
federal jurisdictions you serve or from legislatures.
 Yes
 No

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that are unclear or
confusing?
Which part(s) are unclear or
confusing?

NOTES

2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read E2 aloud.
E2.

As of December 31, 2024, were any disciplines in your laboratory accredited? Mark one.
 Yes, all disciplines in my laboratory were accredited
 Yes, some disciplines in my laboratory were accredited
 No, none of the disciplines in my laboratory were accredited

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that are unclear or
confusing?
Which part(s) are unclear or
confusing?
2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read E6 aloud, along with the answer choices.

B-28

NOTES

E6.

In 2024, at what level did your laboratory perform technical reviews? A technical review refers to a qualified second party’s
evaluation of reports, notes, data, and other documentation to ensure there is appropriate and sufficient support for resulting
actions, results, conclusions, opinions, and interpretations. Include technical reviews that are completed internally and technical
reviews that are outsourced. Mark one.
 Technical reviews were performed on none (0%) of the casework.
 Technical reviews were performed on some (less than 50%) of the casework.
 Technical reviews were performed on most (more than 50%) of the casework.
 Technical reviews were performed on all (100%) of the casework.

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that are unclear or
confusing?
Which part(s) are unclear or
confusing?

NOTES

2. How about the definition of “technical review.” Any thoughts or
reactions to this definition?
3. How easy or difficult would it be for you to answer this
question?
What makes it difficult?
4. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read E7 aloud. You may read the list of resources to yourself.
E7.

As of December 31, 2024, did your analysts/examiners have access to the following safety and wellness resources? If yes,
indicate if your laboratory primarily provided these resources directly or through an external agency. Mark one for each row.
Yes,
directly
a. Behavior/stress management
b. Employee assistance programs
c. Mental health debrief
d. Proactive resiliency programs
e. Web-based resources
f. Other resources (please specify)

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that are unclear or
confusing?
Which part(s) are unclear or
confusing?








Yes,
through an
external
agency







No,
analysts/examiners
did not have access
to this resource







NOTES

2. How easy or difficult would it be for you to answer this
question for your laboratory about each resource?
What makes it difficult?

C-19

3. We are considering including some additional resources in this
list. For example, childcare programs. How easy or difficult would
it be to answer this question about childcare programs,
specifically?
4. How about resources for expectant mothers?
5. How about if we asked about programs related to building
skills for managing trauma?
6. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Let’s move to the final section of the survey.

Module 7: Section F: Emerging Topics (7 minutes)
Let’s move to the final section of the survey. Please read F1 aloud when you are ready.
F1.

In 2024, did an officer of the court recall a former analyst or examiner to provide testimony from your laboratory? Mark one.
 Yes
 No
 Don’t know

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that are unclear or
confusing?
Which part(s) are unclear or
confusing?

NOTES

2. How easy or difficult would it be for you to answer this
question?
What makes it difficult?
3. Do you have any general thoughts or reactions to this
question?
4. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read F2 aloud when you are ready.
F2. In 2024, did multiple analysts or examiners, within the same discipline, work on the same evidence in your laboratory,
regardless of whether they issue a report?
 Yes
 No

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that are unclear or
confusing?
Which part(s) are unclear or
confusing?

NOTES

2. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read F3 aloud when you are ready. You may read the list of procedures to yourself, then let me know
once you are ready for follow-up questions.

B-28

F3.

In 2024, did your laboratory perform any of the following procedures or use any of the following technologies? Mark yes or no
for each row.
Forensic biology
a. Y-STR analysis
b. Mitochondrial DNA analysis
c. Expert systems
d. Rapid DNA
e. Familial DNA database searches
f. Forensic genealogy database searches
g. Forensic genealogy testing
h. Proteomics
i. Kinship
Other
j. 3D firearms imaging instrumentation
k. Cell source identification by pathology or instrumental method
l. Robotics
m. LC-MS/MS for toxicology
n. High resoultion mass spectrometry (e.g., QTOF)
o. Breath alcohol calibration
p. Provide materials for canine training aids to law enforcemcent (e.g.,
for drugs and explosives detection)

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that are unclear or
confusing?
Which part(s) are unclear or
confusing?

Yes

No





































NOTES

2. How about the specific procedures and technologies listed. Are
these clear or are there any that are unclear or confusing?
Which procedures are unclear or
confusing?
3. Are there any changes you would suggest that we make to this
list of procedures?
4. When answering this question, would you be thinking only
about the procedures that your laboratory used in-house or
would you also be thinking about the work that it may have
outsourced to another laboratory?
5. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read F4 aloud when you are ready. You may read the list of technologies to yourself, then let me know
once you are ready for follow-up questions.

C-21

F4. In 2024, was your laboratory in the process of implementing or considering implementing any of the following technologies?
Mark yes or no for each row.
Yes








a. Mitochondrial DNA Analysis
b. Expert Systems
c. LC-MS/MS for Toxicology
d. Rapid DNA
e. 3D Firearms Imaging Instrumentation
f. High Resoultion Mass Spectrometry (e.g., QTOF)
g. Other (please specify)

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that are unclear or
confusing?
Which part(s) are unclear or
confusing?

No








NOTES

2. Are the technologies listed here clear or are there any that are
unclear or confusing?
Which procedures are unclear or
confusing?
3. Are there any changes that we should consider making to this
list of technologies?
4. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read F5 aloud when you are ready.
F5. Please rank the following areas in order from most to least important where 1 equals the area where your laboratory had the
greatest need for additional funding in 2024 and 3 equals the area where your laboratory had the least need for additional
funding in 2024.
Personnel
Equipment
Supplies
Other (please specify)

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or is there anything that is unclear or
confusing?
Which part(s) are unclear or
confusing?
2. How easy or difficult do you think it would be to rank these
categories in order of importance for your laboratory?

B-28

NOTES

3. Would you enter anything in the Other specify box?
What would you enter there?
4. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read F6 aloud when you are ready, along with the answer choices.
F6.

What are reasons that staff left your laboratory in 2024? Mark all that apply.
Not applicable, no separations in 2024
Voluntary resignation
Dismissal
Retirement
Layoff
Other (please specify)

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that are unclear or
confusing?
Which part(s) are unclear or
confusing?

NOTES

2. Are there any reasons for why staff might leave a laboratory
that are missing from this list?
3. To you, is there a difference between voluntary resignation
and retirement? If yes, what is the difference?
4. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read F7 aloud when you are ready, along with the answer choices.
F7. What challenges, if any, did your laboratory face in 2024? Mark all that apply.
Recruiting key personnel
High turnover in key personnel
Lack of resources or financial support
Adapting to new or changing laws, policies, or regulations
Other (please specify)

PROBE

1. Is this question clear or are there any parts that are unclear or
confusing?
Which part(s) are unclear or
confusing?

NOTES

2. Are there any challenges that a laboratory might have faced
that are missing from this list?
3. RECORD ANY ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Please read F8 aloud when you are ready, along with the answer choices.

C-23

F8. What was the main challenge your laboratory faced in 2024? Mark one.
Recruiting key personnel
High turnover in key personnel
Lack of resources or financial support
Adapting to new or changing laws, policies, or regulations
Other (please specify)

PROBE

1. Do you have any thoughts or reactions to this question?

NOTES

Module 8: Wrap-Up/Debriefing (3 minutes)
Those are all of the survey questions I have for you today, but now I’d like to ask you some questions about
your overall experience answering these questions.

PROBE

1. Do you have any thoughts or feedback about any items
that you haven’t already shared?

NOTES

2. When completing this survey, would you be able to
provide exact numbers or are there some questions for
which you would need to estimate?
Do you recall which questions, specifically,
you would to provide an estimate?
3. Is there anything else you’d like to share before we wrap
up?

Those are all of my questions for you. Thanks again for participating today. All of your feedback that you
shared with me today will be used to help improve the survey questions.
[CLOSE INTERVIEW AND TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS]:
1. SAVE RECORDING TO APPROPRIATE FOLDER
2. SAVE COMPLETED CONSENT FORM TO APPROPRIATE FOLDER
3. EMAIL/TEAMS MESSAGE KATHRYN THAT THE INTERVIEW WAS COMPLETED
4. FINALIZE NOTES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND MOVE NOTES INTO FINALIZED FOLDER
5. COPY NOTES INTO THE SUMMARY SPREADSHEET

B-28

Attachment F: Survey invitation letter

«POC NAME»
OR CURRENT LABORATORY DIRECTOR
«LABORATORY DIRECTOR»
«ADDRESS1», «ADDRESS2»
«CITY», «STATE» «ZIP»
Dear «First Name» «Last Name»:
I am writing to ask for your participation in the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) Census of Publicly Funded Forensic
Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL). The CPFFCL has been conducted every few years since 2002. Your responses to the new
survey are critical to provide current information on the workloads, staffing, resource needs, and other emerging issues
among federal, state, and local crime labs nationwide during 2024 and to understand changes since the CPFFCL was last
conducted in 2020.
The CPFFCL is endorsed by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) and the endorsement letter
can be found on the website listed below.
To participate in the 2024 CPFFCL, please complete the survey at bjsforensics.org by <>. Your log-in
information is:
Username: «CaseID»
Password: «Password»
The survey takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. You may download a copy to assist with gathering the necessary
data and share it with others in your lab to assist with the responses.
If you need to change the point of contact for your lab or update your contact information, go to bjsforensics.org using
the username and password above, and follow the instructions. If you have questions about the survey, please contact RTI
International at 1-877-834-7063 or bjsforensics@rti.org. If you have any general comments, please contact Matt Durose,
the program manager from BJS, at 202-598-0295 or Matt.Durose@usdoj.gov.
Thank you in advance for your participation in the CPFFCL. We greatly appreciate your support with this important
survey.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Scott, PhD
Acting Director
Bureau of Justice Statistics
U.S. Department of Justice
BJS is authorized to conduct this data collection under Title 34 United States Code Section 10132. By law, BJS will use the information you provide
only for statistical or research purposes and must protect the confidentiality of information identifiable to a private person against unauthorized
disclosure or misuse. [Title 34 U.S.C. Sections 10134 and 10231] Any person who violates these provisions may be punished by a fine up to $10,000,
in addition to any other penalties imposed by law. Per the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, federal information systems are protected from
malicious activities through cybersecurity screening of transmitted data. The BJS Data Protection Guidelines provide more detailed information on
how BJS and RTI International will use and protect data collected under BJS’s authority.

Case ID: «caseid»

Attachment G: Endorsement letter

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF
CRIME LABORATORY DIRECTORS, INC.®
65 Glen Road, Suite 123, Garner, NC 27529
January 23, 2025

ASCLD BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Scott Ford, President
Midwest Regional Forensic Laboratory
G. Scott Hummel, President-Elect
Kansas City Police Department
Sheri Lemons, Secretary
West Virginia State Police Forensic
Laboratory
Brian Hoey, Treasurer
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Timothy D. Kupferschmid,
Past President
NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner
Mike Cariola
Bode Technology
Claudine Carter Pereira
Broward Sheriff’s Office
Henry Maynard
Lori Nix
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Division of Forensic Sciences
Tate Yeatman
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Crime Laboratory
Kerri T. Heward
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s
Department – Scientific Investigations
Division

Dear Fellow Laboratory Director:
The ASCLD Board of Directors is encouraging you to participate in
the new Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories
(CPFFCL) from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (or BJS), the principal
statistical agency of the Department of Justice. BJS, working with RTI
International (RTI), is conducting the CPFFCL survey to provide
valuable information regarding the workloads, staffing, and resources
available among the nation’s crime labs during 2024.
Your response to the 2024 CPFFCL is critical to making the results
nationally representative, understanding current resource needs
and emerging issues, and assessing trends since the CPFFCL was
last conducted in 2020. For information about the previous surveys
conducted in 2002, 2005, 2009, 2014, and 2020, please see BJS’s
CPFFCL webpage at https://bjs.ojp.gov/data-collection/censuspublicly-funded-forensic-crime-laboratories-cpffcl.
The CPFFCL includes a wide range of questions and data elements that
focus on our community and directly supports the ASCLD mission of
disseminating important forensic based information, improving
information-sharing among crime laboratory directors, and promoting
the highest standards of practice in the field. We know that you and
your staff have many responsibilities and limited time, but we hope that
you will provide the requested information and contribute to this
survey.

Laura A. Tramontin
NJSP Office of Forensic Sciences

Your participation is needed to ensure that the survey is a success
and that the results are comprehensive.

Daniel Katz
Maryland Department of State Police
Forensic Sciences Division

Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this important effort.

ASCLD STAFF

Sincerely,

John A. Byrd, BG (Retired)
Executive Director
Ramona Robertson
Administrative Assistant

Scott Ford
ASCLD President

Phone: 919.773.2044 |

Website: www.ascld.org

Attachment H: Survey invitation email

TO: «POC NAME»
OR CURRENT LABORATORY DIRECTOR
«LABORATORY DIRECTOR»
SUBJECT: Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL)
Dear «First Name» «Last Name»:
Last week, we sent you an invitation to complete the new Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime
Laboratories (CPFFCL) by mail and would like to confirm that you successfully received your invitation.
Please reply to this message to indicate that you received the invitation.

In the event that you did not receive the materials, your survey invitation and unique login information is
provided in this email below.
Thank you,
Matt Durose
Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics

Survey Invitation Letter
Link to Endorsement Letter

Attachment I: CPFFCL flyer

The Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL) is a national survey
conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) to provide much-needed statistics on the
forensic services provided by the federal, state, and local crime labs. The new CPFFCL will
provide a national snapshot of the operations and resources available to conduct this important
work during 2024.
What information does the CPFFCL collect?
Key survey topics include:
• Staffing and workloads
• Budgets, expenditures, and funding sources
• Resources and technology
• Forensic services provided
• Policies and procedures
As the principal statistical agency of the Department of Justice, BJS will use these data to
produce important statistics on the nation’s crime labs that can help to identify the emerging
issues and challenges they are facing.
Why should my lab participate?
The CPFFCL is vital to understanding the operations and resources available among the publicly
funded labs performing forensic services nationwide. Because this is a census requesting data
from all labs that meet this project’s eligibility criteria, your lab’s responses will ensure the
results are nationally representative and help provide a complete picture of the diversity among
labs operating in 2024. The survey will provide key information that can help to inform the
resource needs among the nation’s crime labs and changes since the CPFFCL was last conducted
in 2020. The 2020 CPFFCL report is available at https://bjs.ojp.gov/document/pffcl20.pdf.
How can I find out more about the 2024 CPFFCL?
For questions or more information, please contact RTI International, BJS’s data collection agent
for the CPFFCL, at bjsforensics@rti.org or Matt Durose from BJS at Matt.Durose@usdoj.gov.

Attachment J: ASCLD survey launch announcement

Hello Colleagues,
We write to you today about an important national data collection that affects each of our
laboratories and impacts budgets and decision-making at all government levels.
Specifically, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is currently
administering the 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL). The CPFFCL
was last conducted in 2020 and is designed to gather data on current services offered by publicly
funded crime laboratories and the challenges you face.
We strongly encourage you to complete the CPFFCL as soon as possible to ensure that your
laboratory is represented in this critical collection.
The survey can be completed online at bjsforensics.org and by paper copies that have been sent out.
If you have any questions regarding CPFFCL please contact RTI, the data collection agency for the
survey, at bjsforensics@rti.org.
Sincerely,

Scott Ford
ASCLD President

Attachment K: First reminder email and postcard

TO: «POC NAME»
OR CURRENT LABORATORY DIRECTOR
«LABORATOY FACILITY»
SUBJECT: Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories
Dear «First Name» «Last Name»:
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is conducting a new Census of Publicly Funded Forensic
Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL) on their operations and resources available during 2024. Last
month, RTI sent «FACILITY NAME» an invitation on behalf of BJS to participate in the 2024
CPFFCL. We hope to receive your survey soon so that the statistics from this census reflect the
important services provided by the nation’s crime labs. Information from your laboratory is
needed to ensure the results are nationally representative.
The survey is due by «DATE». Please provide your responses by that date if possible. We
greatly appreciate your support with this request.
You may access the survey online at bjsforensics.org by entering the following information:
Username: «CaseID»
Password: «Password»
If you have questions or need to update your contact information, please contact the RTI team at
1-877-834-7063 or bjsforensics@rti.org. If you have any general comments about this data
collection, please contact me at 202-598-0295 or Matt.Durose@usdoj.gov.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Matt Durose
Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics

The Census of Publicly Funded
Forensic Crime Labratories
(CPFFCL) focuses on the forensic
services performed by crime labs
across the nation and the resources
devoted to completing the work.
Your lab’s survey responses
are needed to make the results
nationally representative.

BE HEARD. CONNECT TODAY.

REMINDER!

YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED. RESPOND NOW.

RTI International
3040 East Cornwallis Road
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

CPFFCL

CENSUS OF PUBLICLY FUNDED FORENSIC CRIME LABORATORIES

CRIME LAB CENSUS IS A KEY SOURCE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS
ON WORKLOADS AND RESOURCE NEEDS

Your
response is
INVALUABLE
to the
forensic
community.
FOR ASSISTANCE
PLEASE SEE THESE
RESOURCES:

JOHN DOE
3040 East Cornwallis Road
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

WEBSITE: BJSFORENSICS.ORG
EMAIL: BJSFORENSICS@RTI.ORG

New survey questions on emerging issues and challenges
facing crime labs in 2024!

Attachment L: Second reminder email and letter

TO: «POC NAME»
OR CURRENT LABORATORY DIRECTOR
«LABORATOY FACILITY»
SUBJECT: Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories
Dear «First Name» «Last Name»:
The 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL) was recently
mailed to you. This email is to request confirmation that we have successfully reached you and
to encourage you to contact us if you have any questions.
Please reply to this message to confirm that we have reached «POC NAME» at
«FACILITY NAME».
The information contained in the letter that we mailed on «DATE» is provided below.
Thank you,
Matt Durose
Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics

Second Reminder Letter

«POC NAME»
OR CURRENT LABORATORY DIRECTOR
«LABORATORY FACILITY»
«ADDRESS1», «ADDRESS2»
«CITY», «STATE» «ZIP»
Dear «First Name» «Last Name»:
«FACILITY NAME» has been asked to participate in the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) new Census of
Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL). I recognize that you may not have received the
previous correspondence or that you may not have responded yet because of time constraints.
The goal of this survey is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the forensic services, resources, and
challenges among the nation’s crime labs during 2024. Since CPFFCL is a census, your responses are critical to
making the results nationally representative.
Please complete the survey at bjsforensics.org by << DATE>> with the following information:
Username: «CaseID»
Password: «Password»
Alternatively, you can mail your responses by the due date using the enclosed survey and business reply
envelope.
If you have questions about the survey or having difficulty accessing the website, please contact RTI at 1-877834-7063 or bjsforensics@rti.org. If you have any general comments about this data collection, please contact
me at 202-598-0295 or Matt.Durose@usdoj.gov.
Sincerely,
Matt Durose
Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Enclosures: CPFFCL questionnaire; Business reply envelope

«caseID»

Attachment M: Third reminder email and letter

TO: «POC NAME»
SUBJECT: Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories
Dear «First Name» «Last Name»:
Recently, we sent you a reminder letter to complete the 2024 Census of Publicly Funded
Forensic Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL) via mail. This email is to confirm that you received the
reminder.
In the event that you did not receive our reminder letter, it is provided below.
We know you have many demands on your time and appreciate your response to this important
survey. If you have any questions, please contact RTI International at 1-877-834-7063 or
bjsforensics@rti.org.
Thank you,
Matt Durose
Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics
«caseID»

Third Reminder Letter

«POC NAME»
OR CURRENT LABORATORY DIRECTOR
«LABORATORY FACILITY»
«ADDRESS1», «ADDRESS2»
«CITY», «STATE» «ZIP»
Dear «First Name» «Last Name»:
The Bureau of Justice Statistics is currently fielding the survey for the 2024 Census of Publicly Funded
Forensic Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL), and «FACILITY NAME» has been asked to participate.
BJS will only use the data collected for research and statistical purposes. Your response is very important to
better understand the challenges facing the nation’s crime labs.
While I know you have many demands on your time, your response is crucial to making the results this census
nationally representative.
Please complete the survey online at bjsforensics.org by entering the following information:
Username: «CaseID»
Password: «Password»
Please note that the survey is due by «DATE». If you have questions or having difficulty accessing the website,
please contact RTI at 1-877-834-7063 or bjsforensics@rti.org. If you have any general comments about this
data collection, please contact me at 202-598-0295 or Matt.Durose@usdoj.gov.
Sincerely,
Matt Durose
Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics
«caseID»

Attachment N: Fourth reminder letter

«POC NAME»
OR CURRENT LABORATORY DIRECTOR
«LABORATORY FACILITY»
«ADDRESS1», «ADDRESS2»
«CITY», «STATE» «ZIP»
Dear «First Name» «Last Name»:
On behalf of the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), RTI International (RTI) is conducting the 2024 Census of
Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL). RTI has not received your completed survey.
All responses are crucial to this effort, and we need your participation by <> in order to have
complete results.
As of «DATE», «% COMPLETED» of labs have submitted surveys. Don’t miss your chance to respond
for your laboratory.
Please complete your survey as soon as possible. We greatly appreciate your support with this request.
You may access the survey at bjsforensics.org by entering the following information:
Username: «CaseID»
Password: «Password»
If you have questions or are having difficulty accessing the website, please contact RTI at 1-877-834-7063 or
bjsforensics@rti.org. If you have any general comments about this data collection, please contact me at 202598-0295 or Matt.Durose@usdoj.gov.
Sincerely,
Matt Durose
Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics
«caseID»

Attachment O: Fifth reminder email and postcard

TO: «POC NAME»
SUBJECT: 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories Reminder
Dear «First Name» «Last Name»:
I’m writing on behalf of the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) to remind you that «FACILITY
NAME» has been invited to participate in the 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime
Laboratories (CPFFCL).
This data collection has been endorsed by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors
(ASCLD) and the letter of support can be found on our website: bjsforensics.org.
All survey responses are crucial to this effort, and we need your participation in order to
help ensure reliable results.
Please complete the 2024 CPFFCL survey as soon as possible. I understand that you often
receive survey requests, and I appreciate your support with this request.
You can complete the survey at: bjsforensics.org
Your agency-specific information is:
Username: «CaseID»
Password: «Password»
I greatly appreciate your assistance with this important data collection.
Thank you,
Matt Durose
Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics
«caseID»

RESPONSE NEEEDED
2002

CPFFCL

CENSUS OF PUBLICLY FUNDED FORENSIC CRIME LABORATORIES

The Census of Publicly Funded Forensic
Crime Labratories (CPFFCL) focuses
on the forensic services performed by
crime labs across the nation and the
resources devoted to completing the
work.

BE HEARD. CONNECT TODAY.
CRIME LABS RECEIVE
MILLIONS OF REQUESTS
FOR SERVICES EACH YEAR

2005

2009

2014

2020

2024

RTI International
3040 East Cornwallis Road
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

CPFFCL

CENSUS OF PUBLICLY FUNDED FORENSIC CRIME LABORATORIES

YOUR INPUT BENEFITS CRIME LABS LIKE YOU,

The Crime Lab Census found
BUT ONLY IF YOU PARTICIPATE!
labs had more than
1,500 job vacancies in 2020
JOHN DOE
3040 East Cornwallis Road
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
FOR ASSISTANCE
PLEASE SEE
THESE RESOURCES:

WEBSITE: BJSFORENSICS.ORG
EMAIL: BJSFORENSICS@RTI.ORG

NEW SURVEY QUESTIONS WILL EXAMINE THE CURRENT STAFFING AND RESOURCE NEEDS OF LABS

Attachment P: Sixth reminder email from ASCLD

Hello Colleagues,
We write to you today about an important national data collection that effects each of our
laboratories and impacts budgets and decision-making at all government levels.
Specifically, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is currently
administering the sixth Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL). The CPFFCL
was last conducted in 2020, and the new survey has been designed to gather data on the services
offered by publicly funded crime labs and the challenges you faced during 2024.
With input from subject matter experts and crime laboratory stakeholders, BJS and RTI international,
BJS’s data collection agent for this survey, developed the new survey designed to reduce burden
while producing meaningful, relevant, and timely statistics to serve the crime laboratory community.
We understand from BJS that about <<% NOT COMPLETED>> of labs have yet to submit their CPFFCL
survey.
If you have already completed the CPFFCL survey, we sincerely thank you. By completing the survey,
you have helped contribute valuable information on emerging issues relevant to forensic
laboratories and reveal how staffing, budgets, caseload, and resource needs have changed over the
past 4 years.
For those who have not completed the CPFFCL, we strongly encourage you to do so as soon as
possible to ensure that your laboratory is represented in this critical collection. The survey ends
soon. The survey can be completed online at bjsforensics.org and by paper copies that have been
sent out.
If you have any questions regarding the CPFFCL please contact RTI at bjsforensics@rti.org or 1-877834-7063.
Sincerely,

Scott Ford
ASCLD President

Attachment Q: Telephone follow-up scripts for data quality

Sample Call Script for Data Quality Follow-up Calls
[IF CALL RINGS TO A GATEKEEPER]
Hello, this is <> calling on behalf of the Bureau of Justice Statistics regarding the 2024
Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories. I am following up on a survey recently
completed by <>. May I speak with <>?
[IF CALL RINGS TO POC]
Hello, this is <> calling on behalf of the Bureau of Justice Statistics regarding the 2024
Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories. Your laboratory recently completed the survey,
and you are listed as the Survey Contact. I have a few questions about the data in your survey; these
questions will help ensure we understand the information you provided. This should only take a few
minutes of your time.

BEGIN READING QUESTION(S) THAT IS (ARE) MISSING INFORMATION OR HAVE
INCONSISTENT RESPONSES.
Thank you for your time.

Attachment R: Telephone follow-up scripts for nonresponse

Phone Prompting Specifications

CPFFCL Non-Response Follow-Up CATI Script
USE 2690 AS THE COMPLETED SURVEY CODE TO INDICATE COMPLETE VIA WEB AND NO PROMPTING
NEEDED.
NT00.
PROGRAMMER, DISPLAY:
STATUS, DATE OF LAST CALL, NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS
LEAD_IN
Shows:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Case Level Status
Line Level Status
Case-Level Comments
Date of Last Call
Last Appt
Contact info

TW
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?
1 = CONTINUE WITH THIS CASE {GO TO AUTO_DIAL1}
2 = REVIEW RECORD OF EVENTS
3 = REVIEW ROSTER OF NUMBERS AND NAMES {GO TO ROSTER LINES}
4 = REVIEW/ENTER CASE LEVEL COMMENTS {GO TO CASE COMMENTS}
6 = SAVE THE CURRENT CASE; GET ANOTHER CASE OR EXIT CATI-CMS
7 = SCHEDULE A CALLBACK {GO TO SCHEDULER}
8 = CHOOSE A NEW NUMBER TO CALL {GO TO ROSTER LINES}
9= CALL IN CASE {GO TO CALL_IN}
90 = SPECIAL OPTIONS
DIAL1
DID A PERSON ANSWER THE PHONE (NOT OPERATOR)?
1 = YES {IF QINT1 already has a response, GO TO CALLBACK; ELSE GO TO QINT1}
2 = NO {GO TO DIAL2}
9= CALL IN CASE {GO TO CALL_IN}

DIAL2
WHAT IS THE RESULT OF THIS CALL?
1265 = ANSWERING MACHINE {GO TO ANSPROMPT1}

1201 = RING NO ANSWER
1202 = BUSY SIGNAL / ALL CIRCUITS BUSY
1273 = DISCONNECTED NUMBER / CALL CANNOT BE COMPLETED AS DIALED
1274 = TEMPORARILY DISCONNECTED / LINE TROUBLE
1281 = MODEM / FAX MACHINE
1271 = RECORDING GIVES NEW NUMBER
1282 = BEEPER / PAGER
1275 = BLOCKED LINE / # DOES NOT ACCEPT INCOMING CALLS
1287 = PRIVACY MANAGER
1543 = TDD REQUIRED
1284 = MOBILE / CELL PHONE
[PROGRAMMER – only route callback screen if this is a callback to a case that has already completed
some of the front-end questions.]
CALL_IN
Hi, you’ve reached 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories, also known as the
Crime Lab Census, this is [INTERVIEWER NAME], how may I help you?
1 WILL COMPLETE SURVEY ONLINE [GO TO QINT20]
2 WILL COMPLETE A PDF [GO TO QINT23]
9 REFUSED [GO TO QINT28]
CALLBACK. Hello, this is [INTERVIEWER NAME], calling from RTI regarding the 2024 Census of Publicly
Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories, also known as the Crime Lab Census, that is being conducted by
the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
We previously spoke with someone at this office and wanted to offer our assistance with any questions
you have about the survey.
1 CONTINUE [pick up where left off last time, or else QINT11 if front end is completed]
QINT1. Hello, this is <>, calling from RTI regarding the 2024 Census of Publicly
Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories, also known as the Crime Lab Census.
I’m following up on a notification that we sent to << LABORATORY DIRECTOR>> regarding the census.
Have I reached << LABORATORY NAME>>?
1 YES [GO TO QINT11]
2 NO [GO TO QINT2]
QINT2. What is your laboratory’s name?
______________________

QINT3. What is the laboratory’s address?
INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: DO NOT READ ADDRESS TO R
[PROGRAMMER: FILL ADDRESS]
1 YES – MATCH TO RECORDS [GO TO QINT7]
2 NO – DOES NOT MATCH RECORDS [GO TO NEW_ADDR1]
NEW_ADDR1. INTERVIEWER: RECORD ADDRESS, ASKING RESPONDENT TO REPEAT IF NECESSARY.
ADDRESS 1:
ADDRESS 2:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP:
QINT5. Let me just confirm that I have the address listed correctly.
INTERVIEWER: IF NOT CORRECT, BACK UP TO CORRECT THE INFORMATION.
[PROGRAMMER: DISPLAY LAB NAME, ADDRESS, NEW INFORMATION JUST PROVIDED.]
QINT7.
Is this the best number to reach you: <>-<>?
1 CORRECT NUMBER [GO TO QINT11]
2 NOT CORRECT [GO TO QINT8]
3 WOULD LIKE TO BE CALLED ON A NEW NUMBER [GO TO TEL06]

QINT8. What phone number have I reached?
________________________
[PROGRAMMER: APPEND THE PHONE NUMBER TO THIS CASE.]
[GO TO QINT11]
TEL06. What is the best number that you may be reached?
________________________
(ENTER NUMBER WITH NO DASHES, SPACES OR OTHER PUNCTUATION)

INTERVIEWER: END THIS CALL. Thank you for providing me with this information, I will call the new
number promptly. Have a nice day.
WHEN CATI ASKS “DO YOU NEED TO RETURN TO THE MAIN MENU FOR THIS CASE?”, ANSWER YES IN
ORDER TO MAKE A NEW CALL TO THIS CASE USING THE NEWLY COLLECTED PHONE NUMBER.
[PROGRAMMER: APPEND THE PHONE NUMBER TO THIS CASE; RESUME AT CALLBACK/QINT11 FOR NEXT
CALL TO THIS CASE (see note).]
[GO TO QINT11 - PROGRAMMER: ** CALL SHOULD RESUME HERE AFTER TEL06 **]
QINT11.
May I speak with <>?
1 TRANSFER TO POC (LIVE) [GO TO QINT14]
2 GATEKEEPER IS POC [GO TO QINT14]
3 TRANSFER TO VM FOR POC [GO TO ANSPROMPT1]
4 NO/NOT AVAILABLE – SCHEDULE CALLBACK [GO TO INT06]
5 POC NO LONGER AT LAB [GO TO QINT12]
9 REFUSED [GO TO QINT28]
QINT12.
What is the new laboratory director’s name?
_______________________
9 REFUSED
[GO TO QINT13]
QINT13.
May I speak with the laboratory director?
1 TRANSFER TO POC (LIVE) [GO TO QINT14]
2 GATEKEEPER IS POC [GO TO QINT14]
3 TRANSFER TO VM FOR POC [GO TO ANSPROMPT1]
4 NO/NOT AVAILABLE – SCHEDULE CALLBACK [GO TO INT06]
9 REFUSED [GO TO QINT28]

QINT14. [IF Q11=1 OR Q13=1, FILL: Hello, this is <> calling from RTI regarding the
2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories, also known as the Crime Lab Census.]
I’m following up on our invitation that asked your laboratory to participate in the survey. [We recognize
the time commitment it takes to complete the survey, so have shortened it to include only the most
critical questions.] Have you received the invitations we have sent you?
1 YES, RECEIVED INVITATION [GO TO QINT18]
2 NO, DID NOT RECEIVE [GO TO QINT19]
3 NO ANSWER [END CALL]
4 WENT TO VOICEMAIL [GO TO ANSPROMPT1]
5 YES, ALREADY COMPLETED [GO TO QINT29, CODE 1579]
9 REFUSED [GO TO QINT17a]

ANSPROMPT1. [DISPLAY FOR CALL COUNTS 1, 3, AND 5.] Hello, this is _____________, calling

from RTI regarding the 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories. We’ve sent you a
few letters and email messages inviting your laboratory to participate in the census. [We have not heard
back from your laboratory, and I wanted to follow up to inform you that we have shortened the survey
to encourage your participation.] [We have not heard back from your laboratory, and I wanted to follow
up with you to see if you had any questions about the survey and to encourage your participation.] At
your convenience, please call us at 1-877-834-7063 referencing Case ID <>. Again, that number
is 1-877-834-7063 and your Case ID is <>. Any member of our team can assist you. Thank you!
[DISPLAY FOR CALL COUNT 6 AND 8] Hello, this is _____________, calling from RTI regarding the 2024
Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories. This message is for <>. Your
agency’s participation ensures our study accurately represents forensic crime laboratories across the
country. At your convenience, please call us at 1-877-834-7063 referencing Case ID <>.
Again, that number is 1-877-834-7063 and your Case ID is <>. Any member of our team
can assist you. Thank you!
1 LEFT MESSAGE. END CALL.
2 SOMEONE PICKED UP. [IF QINT11 = 3 or QINT13 = 3 or QINT14 = 4 GO TO QINT11; ELSE GO TO QINT1]
3 UNABLE TO LEAVE MESSAGE. END CALL.
INT06. When would be a better time to call back? INTERVIEWER: CALLBACK SHOULD ONLY BE SET IF
THE RESPONDENT REQUESTED OR AGREED TO BE CALLED BACK.
INTERVIEWER: IF RESPONDENT INDICATES THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO TALK NOW BUT THEY ARE
DRIVING, SAY: I’m sorry, but for your safety we’re not able to continue while you’re driving (or doing
something else that requires your full attention).
IS THIS CALLBACK SET BY THE RESPONDENT OR SOMEONE ELSE?
1 APPOINTMENT BY SUBJECT -- THE RESPONDENT SELECTED TO COMPLETE THE INTERVIEW AND
PROVIDED A SPECIFIC TIME AND DATE FOR THE APPOINTMENT. [GO TO APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE
SCREENS AND THEN QINT28]
2 APPOINTMENT BY OTHER -- SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE SELECTED RESPONDENT ASKED FOR US TO
CALLBACK, OR THE SELECTED RESPONDENT DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE AND TIME TO BE CALLED
BACK. [GO TO APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE SCREENS AND THEN QINT28]
3 REFUSED. I will just try again later. [GO TO QINT28]

QINT17a. [PROGRAMMER: IF AGENCY HAS NOT RECEIVED COMMUNICATIONS (Q14=2), DO NOT ASK.
ELSE, ASK OF EACH AGENCY THAT HAS REFUSED.]
Your laboratory’s participation helps to ensure our study accurately represents forensic crime
laboratories across the country. We cannot substitute another laboratory for yours. Would you please
tell me more about your laboratory’s reasons for not participating?
INTERVIEWER: ENTER VERBATIM IN OPEN ENDED BOX FOR CODE 00, THEN CODE THE RESPONSE
___________________________________________
SELECT ALL THAT APPLY:
0 ENTER VERBATIM
1 COMPLETE — AGENCY CLAIMS THAT SURVEY HAS BEEN SUBMITTED/SENT
2 DUE DATE — CANNOT RESPOND BY DUE DATE
3 LIMITED TIME/RESOURCES — NOT RELATED TO DUE DATE
4 APPLICABILITY — AGENCY THOUGHT SURVEY DID NOT APPLY TO THEM
5 NO INTEREST – AGENCY STAFF ARE UNINTERESTED IN THE SURVEY TOPIC OR GOALS
6 NO BENEFIT – AGENCY RECEIVES NO BENEFIT FROM PARTICIPATION/SURVEY
7 VOLUNTARY – PARTICIPATION IS NOT MANDATED BY LAW
8 SURVEY FATIGUE — AGENCY RECEIVES TOO MANY SURVEY REQUESTS
9 LACK OF DATA — DATA NOT AVAILABLE DURING SURVEY PERIOD
10 LACK OF DATA — DATA DO NOT EXIST OR ARE NOT MAINTAINED
11 INACCESSIBLE DATA – DATA EXIST, BUT ARE NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE
12 POOR QUALITY DATA – DATA EXIST, BUT ARE OF QUESTIONABLE/POOR QUALITY
13 CONFIDENTIALITY – DATA ARE NOT TO BE SHARED OUTSIDE OF AGENCY/AUTHORITY
14 FEDERAL ROLE – FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN LOCAL ISSUES
15 JURISDICTION RULE – JURISDICTION DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH
16 OTHER
99 REFUSED TO GIVE REASON FOR DELAY/REFUSAL
QINT18. INTERVIEWER: IF REFUSAL, DO NOT ASK; CODE 6 [NO, will not complete survey]
ELSE: Do you have any questions or concerns about the survey that I might be able to help with?
ADDRESS RESPONDENT QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS. IF UNABLE TO ADDRESS CONCERNS, INDICATE HELP
DESK WILL FOLLOW UP WITH THEM. SELECT OPTION 7.
Can I ask how would you prefer to complete the survey? You have the option to complete it online or via
PDF by downloading it from the survey website and emailing, faxing, or mailing it back to us. What
would you prefer?
1 POC HAS COMPLETED WEB SURVEY [GO TO QINT29, Code 1579]
2 YES, WILL COMPLETE SURVEY ONLINE [GO TO QINT20]
3 YES, WILL COMPLETE A PDF [GO TO QINT23]
4 NO, WILL NOT COMPLETE SURVEY [GO TO QINT17a]
5 Help Desk Follow up [GO TO QINT29, Code 1579]

QINT19. IF QINT14=2: Let me send you the survey again. You have the option to complete it online or
via pdf by downloading it from the survey website. Which do you prefer?
1 YES, WILL COMPLETE SURVEY ONLINE [GO TO QINT20]
2 YES, WILL COMPLETE A PDF [GO TO QINT23]
3 NO, WILL NOT COMPLETE SURVEY [GO TO QINT28]

QINT20. Do you need me to send the survey link and login information to you again?
1 Yes [GO TO QINT21]
2 No [GO TO QINT27]
QINT21. What is your preferred email address?
________________________________
[GO TO QINT25]
QINT23. Would you like me to walk you through how to download the survey from the website?
IF SO:
Please use your login credentials that you received in the mail or via email to log into the survey at
bjsforensics.org. I can provide to you now as well. Log into the survey and press the “Download
Survey” button near the top of the screen. This will generate a pdf file that you can print out, fill out,
and email, fax, or mail back to us. The contact information is on the pdf document, but I can provide it
to you now as well.
WEB CREDENTIALS:
LOGIN: [CASEID]
PASSWORD: [PASSWORD]
DUE DATE:
EMAIL: bjsforensics@rti.org
FAX: 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX
MAIL:
Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories
RTI International
ATTN: [Charge Code]
5265 Capital Boulevard
Raleigh, NC 27690
IF NOT, PROCEED.
1 PROCEED [GO TO QINT27]
2 NEED TO SEND WEB CREDENTIALS [GO TO QINT21]
QINT25. We will send a link to the survey and your login information by email, but I can provide it to you
now as well
Website: bjsforensics.org
LOGIN: [CASEID]
PASSWORD: [PASSWORD]

We look forward to receiving your completed survey. I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me
today. Please contact the Help Desk with any questions you might have. Have a nice day.

OFFER HELP DESK INFORMATION AS NEEDED:
Help Desk phone number: 1-877-834-7063
Help Desk email: bjsforensics@rti.org
INTERVIEWER: END CALL. SYSTEM DISPOSITION CASE AS 2391 (SEND EMAIL WITH CREDENTIALS).
QINT27. We look forward to receiving your completed survey. I appreciate you taking the time to speak
with me today. Please contact the Help Desk with any questions you might have. Have a nice day.
OFFER HELP DESK INFORMATION AS NEEDED:
Help Desk phone number: 1-877-834-7063
Help Desk email: bjsforensics@rti.org
INTERVIEWER: END CALL. SYSTEM DISPOSITION CASE AS 2698.
QINT28.I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me today. Please contact the Help Desk with any
questions you might have. Have a nice day.
OFFER HELP DESK INFORMATION AS NEEDED:
Help Desk phone number: 1-877-834-7063
Help Desk email: bjsforensics@rti.org
INTERVIEWER: END CALL.

IF QINT11 OR 13 = 9 SYSTEM DISPOSITION CASE AS 1441.
IF INT06 1 OR 2 SYSTEM DISPOSITION CASE AS 1290-1299.
IF INT06 3 DISPOSITION CASE AS 1441.
IF QINT18 1 DISPOSITION CASE AS 1579 (Potential Problem). These cases will be removed from the
dialer queue and stowed off to the side in a different one.
Scenarios for Other Dispositions:
1255 “Max Calls Reached” for cases with >= 8 call attempts
1579 “Potential Problem” will be set if SUBJ_CODES = 8 “R INDICATES THEY HAVE COMPLETED THE
SURVEY” (breakoff situation)

2250 “Bad Contact Info” will be set if SUBJ_CODES = 7 “NOT LABORATORY” (breakoff situation)
QINT29. We will pass along your information to the help desk and they will contact you shortly. Thank
you for speaking with me today.
OFFER HELP DESK INFORMATION AS NEEDED:
Help Desk phone number: 1-877-834-7063
Help Desk email: bjsforensics@rti.org
INTERVIEWER: END CALL
CODE AS 1579 POTENTIAL PROBLEM

Attachment S: Critical items list

2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories
Critical Items List
1. A1 Part of multi-lab system
2. A2 Number labs part of system
3. A3 Level of government
4. A4 Administrative oversight
5. B2 Operating budget
6. C1 Fulltime and parttime
7. C3 Hires and separations
8. D1 Median turnaround time by definition
9. D2 Median turnaround time starting point
10. D3 Median turnaround time end point
11. D4 Median turnaround time exclude outsource
12. D5 Controlled substance
13. D6 Controlled substance counts A-D
14. D7 Controlled substance outsource counts
15. D8 Toxicology
16. D10 Toxicology counts A-D
17. D11 Toxicology outsource counts
18. D12 Trace analysis
19. D14 Trace analysis counts A-D
20. D15 Trace analysis outsource counts
21. D16 Impressions
22. D18 Impressions counts A-D
23. D19 Impressions outsource counts
24. D20 Firearms/toolmarks/ammunition
25. D22 Firearms/toolmarks/ammunition counts A-D
26. D23 Firearms/toolmarks/ammunition outsource counts
27. D24 Digital and multimedia evidence
28. D26 Digital and multimedia evidence counts A-D
29. D27 Digital and multimedia evidence outsource counts
30. D28 Latent prints
31. D30 Latent prints counts A-D
32. D31 Latent prints outsource counts
33. D32 Questions documents
34. D34 Questions documents counts A-D
35. D35 Questions documents outsource counts
36. D36 Crime scene investigation
37. D38 Crime scene investigation counts A-D
38. D39 Crime scene investigation outsource counts
39. D40 Forensic biology

40. D42 Casework analysis (forensic biology) counts A-D
41. D43 Casework analysis (forensic biology) outsource counts
42. D44 Sexual assault casework counts A-D
43. D45 Sexual assault casework outsource counts
44. D46 DNA databasing
45. D48 DNA databasing counts A-D
46. D49 DNA databasing outsource counts
47. E2 Any disciplines accredited
48. E4 Conduct proficiency testing
49. E6 Technical review
50. E7 Safety and wellness

Attachment T: Critical items survey letter

«POC NAME»
OR CURRENT LABORATORY DIRECTOR
«LABORATORY DIRECTOR»
«ADDRESS1», «ADDRESS2»
«CITY», «STATE» «ZIP»
Dear «First Name» «Last Name»:
By now, you have likely received communications from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and RTI
International regarding the 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL). We realize
that your time and resources are extremely limited, so we have reduced the size of the survey to focus on only
the most important questions. We hope this will minimize the burden this important data collection places on
[Facility Name] and encourages your participation.
You will find included in this package a paper copy of the survey and a prepaid envelope for you to return it to us
upon completion. The online version of the survey has been shortened as well, so we have included your login
information below, should you prefer to complete it online.
The CPFFCL is endorsed by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) and the endorsement
letter can be found on the website listed below.
Please access the survey online at https:// bjsforensics.org. Your agency-specific information is:
Username: «CaseID»
Password: «Password»
If you have questions or need to update your contact information, please contact the RTI team at 1-877-834-7063
or bjsforensics@rti.org. If you have any general comments about this data collection, please contact me at 202598-0295 or Matt.Durose@usdoj.gov.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Matt Durose
Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics

Case ID

Attachment U: Critical items email

TO: «POC NAME»
OR CURRENT LABORATORY DIRECTOR
«LABORATOY FACILITY»
SUBJECT: Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories Reminder
Dear «First Name» «Last Name»:
You should recently have received a UPS envelope from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)
and RTI International regarding the 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime
Laboratories (CPFFCL). As mentioned in our letter, we have reduced the size of the survey to
focus on only the most important questions. We hope this will minimize the burden this
important data collection places on your office and encourages your participation.
If you have not received the mailing and would like a hardcopy of the survey, please contact RTI
at 1-877-834-7063 or bjsforensics@rti.org.
You may also access the survey online at: https://bjsforensics.org
Your agency-specific information is:
Username: «CaseID»
Password: «Password»
We understand that you often receive survey requests and appreciate your support with this
request.
Sincerely,
Matt Durose
Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics

Attachment V: End-of-study letter

«POC NAME»
«ADDRESS1», «ADDRESS2»
«CITY», «STATE» «ZIP»
Dear «First Name» «Last Name»:
We have made several attempts to contact you over the past few months regarding the participation of
«FACILITY NAME» in the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic
Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL). Your responses are vital to understanding the important forensic services
provided by crime labs across the country.
I am writing today to notify you that there are only a couple of weeks remaining to complete the survey. We
must receive your response soon to ensure that the national results reflect the characteristics and activities of
your laboratory. The study’s results depend on the participation of all publicly funded forensic crime labs.
Please complete the survey at bjsforensic.org by entering the following information:
Username: «CaseID»
Password: «Password»
Alternatively, if you would prefer to complete the survey on paper, we are happy to send you a hard copy or
you may download and print a paper version upon entering the CPFFCL website.
If you have questions about the CPFFCL or need to update your contact information (including e-mail address),
please contact RTI at 1-877-834-7063 or bjsforensics@rti.org. If you have any general comments about this
data collection, please contact me at 202-598-0295 or at Matt.Durose@usdoj.gov.
I greatly appreciate your consideration.
Sincerely,
Matt Durose
Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics

Attachment W: End-of-study email

TO: «POC NAME»
SUBJECT: End of Study - Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories
Dear «First Name» «Last Name»:
Recently, materials related to the 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories (CPFFCL) were
sent to you by mail. The purpose of this email is to relay that message to you via email as well, to ensure
receipt, and to encourage you to contact us if you have any questions related to the data collection.
Please reply to this message to confirm that we have reached «POC NAME» at «FACILITY NAME».
The information contained in the letter that we mailed most recently on «DATE» is provided below.
Thank you,
Matt Durose
Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics
End of Study Letter

Attachment X: Completion thank you email

TO: «Survey Contact Email»
SUBJECT: Thank You For Completing the 2024 CPFFCL!
Dear «First Name» «Last Name»:
On behalf of the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and RTI International, I would like to thank
you for your participation in the 2024 Census of Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories
(CPFFCL). I truly appreciate your support in completing this survey. Your participation
ensures that we are a step closer to providing a complete enumeration of the forensic
laboratories across the United States, and that your laboratory is represented among those
performing forensic science services.
This message confirms that we have received your survey and are currently processing the
data. RTI will contact you if there are any questions about the answers your agency has
submitted. When the final report is completed, the results of the CPFFCL will be available
through the BJS and CPFFCL websites.
If you have questions about CPFFCL or need to update your contact information, please contact
RTI at 1-877-834-7063 or bjsforensics@rti.org.
Sincerely,
Matt Durose
Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics