The Division has facilities in both Missoula and Billings. The Missoula facility houses the Medical Examiner, Toxicology, Chemical Analysis, Firearms/Toolmarks, Latent Prints, Biology, Quality Assurance, and Evidence sections. The Billings facility contains the Medical Examiner, Chemical Analysis, and Evidence Sections. The following is an explanation of each section:
- Medical Examiner System: The system is a partnership between the Forensic Science Division’s medical examiners and coroners to promote the health, well-being, and safety of the citizens of Montana through education, service, and compassionate, professional death investigation. The medical examiners’ work helps determine cause and manner of death, identify bodies, document injuries, and detect the presence of disease.
- Toxicology Section: Toxicology staff members analyze biological samples for the presence of drugs, poisons, and other toxins in post mortem, DUI, sexual assault, and probation/parole cases. Scientists often assist coroners in determining the cause of death. A non-comprehensive list of drug screening testing that can be performed by the Toxicology Section can be found here: Montana Toxicology Drug Screening. The Breath Alcohol System maintains and certifies breath-testing instruments used to detect the presence of alcohol in DUI cases. The lab also trains officers in the proper use of the equipment.
- Chemical Analysis Section: Drug chemistry specialists analyze samples seized in cases involving dangerous drugs, contents of clandestine labs, and gunshot residue.
- Firearms/Toolmarks Section: Scientists examine evidence such as weapons, ammunition, and toolmarks. Additional services include serial number restoration, fracture match comparison, and GSR distance determination.
- Latent Prints/Impressions Section: The Latent Prints section identifies, preserves, and compares skin impressions, including fingerprints, palm prints, and footprints.
- Biology Section: The Biology unit is responsible for the analysis of evidence from crimes with the purpose of identifying and individualizing biological materials found as a part of that evidence, including performing Serology, Y-screening, DNA, and Y-STRs. The Biology section also participates in CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), the FBI’s national DNA database program.
- Quality Assurance Section: The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for maintaining the Laboratory’s International Accreditation, including planning internal audits, implementing corrective actions, monitoring analyst proficiency tests, tracking testimony review, and facilitating annual surveillance visits and external assessments. Additionally, the Quality Assurance Manager fulfills all discovery requests for the laboratory.
- Evidence Section: Evidence intake is the gatekeeper for all submitted evidence. Evidence Technicians ensure that submission forms are filled out correctly and that all evidence is packaged and sealed properly to protect against loss or contamination.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Missoula laboratory now has a post office box. Please submit mail to the Missoula laboratory at:
P.O. Box 16170
Missoula, MT 59808
Please use the physical address for UPS or FedEx to the Missoula laboratory:
2679 Palmer Street
Missoula, MT 59808
(406)728-4970
For evidence to the Billings laboratory, please use the following address for all submissions:
1516 4th Avenue North, Suite 1
Billings, MT 59101
(406)255-1101
Evidence can also be dropped off in person at either laboratory between 8am and 4pm.
Make sure that you are using the most updated revisions of the laboratory submission forms.
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