Forensic Services | South Carolina Law Enforcement Division

The SLED Forensic Services Laboratory is a full-service crime laboratory that serves criminal justice agencies throughout South Carolina.

Pursuant to § 23-3-15, 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended, SLED is given exclusive statewide jurisdiction to operate a comprehensive forensic laboratory on behalf of the State.

Services are provided to local, state, and federal agencies for cases involving suspected criminal activity.

The laboratory’s operating hours are 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday – Friday (excluding state holidays). All departments have staff on call for responses after normal business hours.

Forensic Services Laboratory – Objectives

To provide the criminal justice system in South Carolina with a full-service forensic laboratory.
To employ persons of the highest possible ethical and educational standards and furnish them with the necessary training.
To perform work with a high degree of accuracy, quality, and efficiency.

Choose a Department below:

Computer Crimes

The SLED Computer Crime Center (SC3C) encompasses the preservation, processing, and analysis of evidence in an analog or digital format and is responsible for providing expertise to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Crime Scene

Special Agents of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Crime Scene (CS) Department respond to crime scene requests from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies throughout the 46 counties of the state.

DNA Casework

The DNA Casework Department performs scientific analyses on biological evidence such as blood, semen, and saliva. Technicians and analysts evaluate available information to understand the nature of the case and what questions need to be addressed.

DNA Database

The DNA Database Department manages the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) which is a nationwide database containing the DNA profiles of criminal offenders, crime scene evidence, and missing persons and their relatives.

Gloved hands testing evidence and substances

Drug Analysis

The Drug Analysis Department is responsible for the analysis of evidentiary items to establish the presence, identity, and quantity of controlled substances. In cases involving the possession, distribution, and manufacture of controlled substances, laboratory analysis is often a major element of the case.

Evidence Control

The Evidence Control Department is responsible for the acceptance and storage of all evidence submitted to the Forensic Services Laboratory. Over 20,000 cases are received annually by the Evidence Control Department.

Firearms

The Firearms Department examines firearms to test their operability and also their compliance with various statutory regulations (ex. capability for full auto fire, barrel length, and/or overall length).

Latent Prints

The Latent Prints Department provides electronic submission, evidence processing for fingerprints, the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), fingerprint examination, footwear/tire tread analysis, and specialized photography services.

Questioned Documents

The Questioned Document Department has a wide array of equipment including cameras, microscopes, a Video Spectral Comparator (VSC-ink differentiation), and an Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA-indented writing detection).

Toxicology

The Toxicology Department is responsible for the analysis of biological fluids and tissues for the presence or absence of alcohol, drugs, and poisons. The toxicologists interpret their findings in respect to impairment or toxicity of the compounds detected.

Trace Evidence

The Trace Evidence Department analyzes Gunshot Primer Residue (P-GSR), fire debris, paint, fibers, glass, explosives, bank dye, pressure sensitive tape, physical fit, general physical and chemical analysis, pepper spray, and bleach.

Person blowing into breathalyzer machine

Implied Consent

The Implied Consent page includes links to the following: Breath Site Video Recordings, BAC/DMT DataMaster and VDS-2 Records, Policies and Procedures, Regulations (Chapter 73), and Simulator Solutions Verifications.

iLAB

iLAB is a web-based system located securely on the SLED website. It enables authorized users the ability to pre-log cases for submission to the SLED Forensics Lab, download completed reports and view current information on cases already submitted to the lab.

Track-Kit Portal

The Track-Kit Portal page includes links to the following: the Track-Kit Portal sign-in, Medical Facilities Portal, Laboratory Portal, Law Enforcement Portal, Prosecutor Portal, Survivor Portal, and Survivor Portal – Spanish.

Customer Notices and Forms

2025-01 Customer Notice - Toxicology Department Preliminary Screening Panel

2024-04 Customer Notice – Trigger Pull Weight Examination

2024-03 Customer Notice - Outsourcing of DNA Cases

2024-02 Forensic Services – Computer Crimes Destruction of Data from Closed Cases

2024-01 Customer Notice Drug Analysis Submissions from Retail Cannabis Stores

Downloads

Evidence Submission Manual

SLED Laboratory Evidence Inventory Form

SLED Laboratory Forensic Services Request Form

SLED Drug Analysis Request Form

Latent Print Electronic Submission Guide

SLED Urine/Blood Collection Report

SLED Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit Forms and Information

Sexual assault evidence collection protocols, instructions, and other forms and information are no longer included in the SLED Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit box, and are instead now posted here. This will allow for increased ability to update and expand instruction when necessary without having to involve an external vendor. You will find that these forms are the same or similar to those formerly found in the kit box.

SLED Subject Evidence Collection Kits are only for the collection of evidence from an individual who is suspected of committing a sexual offense. The instructions and protocol for this kit are included in the list of links below.

It is strongly recommended that each facility print a master copy of each form, so that in the event that internet access or this site is not available when needed, evidence collection is not delayed.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the forms below, please contact the SLED Forensic DNA Casework Department at 803-896-7383 Monday through Friday 08:30am to 05:00pm. If necessary, we can be reached at 803-737-9000 during non-business hours.