ADFS News

Welcome Message from Director Michael Sparks.

Welcome to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences (ADFS) webpage. This site is dedicated to providing information to our customers and the citizens of the State of Alabama. The mission of ADFS is the application of science and medicine to the purposes of justice. The pursuit of this mission includes the unbiased analysis of evidence that is generated during criminal investigations.

ADFS is uniquely positioned in the justice system of Alabama. This Agency is... ( more)

Customer Notification

ADFS Customer Notification

Message from Director Michael Sparks – Laboratory Closings

With regret I must inform you that the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences (ADFS) Laboratories in Florence, Jacksonville, and Dothan will be closing July 1, 2011. These three laboratories will no longer receive evidence after June 30, 2011. In addition, as of the same date ADFS will no longer provide general crime scene assistance to local law enforcement agencies. The only exception will be for specialty crime scene services such as bullet trajectory and blood spatter interpretation, with prior approval from the appropriate Biology or Firearms Discipline Chief and/or the Director. For an assistance request for specialty crime scene services such as bullet trajectory and blood spatter interpretation please contact (205) 288-6503. If that number is unavailable please contact (205) 901-7669.

Any agencies that submit evidence for analyses that are affected by these closings can submit their drug evidence at any ADFS laboratory. ADFS recommends that affected agencies... (more)

Recall of Antemortem Specimen Submission Kits

Antemortem specimens submission kits distributed by the Department have been recalled by the manufacturer. The Department has sent notice of this recall to all law enforcement agencies in Alabama with instructions to return any unexpired kits to Sirchie Fingerprint Laboratories and to dispose any expired kits. View the recall notice.

The affected kits may be identified with the Reorder Number ALDWI200. Postmortem kits are not subject to this recall. Read more about this recall.

DNA 101: Demystifying CODIS and DNA Profiles for Victim Service Providers

Learn about the forensic DNA testing process and how forensic DNA profiles are generated from evidence and matched through the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Hear how CODIS functions in forensic crime laboratories in the United States, its architecture, and eligibility requirements for DNA samples (offender, crime scene, missing persons), and learn about the various types of DNA analysis that can be performed by crime labs. Concerns about genetic privacy, including what information forensic DNA profiles contain and who is authorized by federal law to have access to the national database will also be discussed.

To watch the webinar, please click here.
This webinar is presented by The National Center for Victims of Crime.
**Please note that Java is required to view the presentation and can be downloaded here.

Requests for DUI Breath Testing Data Pack

DUI Data Pack request must be submitted in writing directly to the Implied Consent Laboratory at P.O. Box 540, Saginaw, AL 35137; or faxed to (205) 621-9962.

The requesting party should notate how they are affiliated with the case, i.e. Subject or attorney representing subject. To assist in processing the request a copy of the "Certificate of Breath Alcohol Analysis" should be enclosed at the time of submission.

If you have any additional questions, please send us an email.

ADFS Arrestee Information, New Law!

As of October 1, 2010, local law enforcement throughout Alabama are now authorized to collect a biological sample for Forensic DNA identity testing from individuals arrested for all felony offenses and sex offenses. In addition to all felony offenses, there are three (3) misdemeanor arrests that also qualify for DNA collection as sexual offenses.

The three qualifying misdemeanors are Sexual Abuse 2nd degree, Sexual Misconduct, and Indecent Exposure.

Materials to accomplish the collection of these samples are being furnished by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences to County Jails throughout... ( more)