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American Crime Labs Need Your Help Television shows about forensic science are some of the most exciting, entertaining dramas on the tube, and have done a lot to make the public aware of forensic science and its potential. That's terrific. But let's talk about reality, and not television: the truth is, most American crime labs are under-funded, are in aging facilities, do not have the latest computers and other equipment, and are not fully staffed. More than one out of four labs do not have basic computers for processing evidence. Throughout the United States, many medical examiners and coroners offices are woefully underfunded. Coroners offices are often filled by election or appointment, and in some cases with few training requirements or resources. Some Coroners offices are still on paper recordkeeping systems, have no permanent place to house records, and many have no set procedures for retaining forensic identification evidence from unidentified bodies. What does that mean to you, the public? Murders unsolved. Rape kits untested. Families of missing persons left without answers, often years after John and Jane Does could have been identified. The innocent detained and the guilty free to commit new crimes. Property losses mount as burglars who might have been identified by evidence stay on the loose. Time wasted by investigators because they are denied the use of an important tool -- forensic science. Health and safety risks increase as untrained individuals make determinations in death investigations. These are just a few of the problems we face when public forensic science is neglected. 
What is the Crime Lab Project? A non-profit organization started by writers and producers, but now including many members of the general public, the Crime Lab Project works to increase awareness of the problems facing public forensic science agencies. We seek greater support and resources for crime labs, coroner and medical examiners' offices, and other public agencies using forensic science. We also seek support for forensic science education and research. Anyone may join the Crime Lab Project. The Crime Lab Project, Inc. is 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation. We are supported in our charitable and education activities through the Crime Lab Project Foundation.
Last updated: December 17, 2008 
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