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MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
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Crime Laboratory FAQs

Common questions about latent prints, DNA analysis and profiling, and toxicology.

Relocation notice

The Crime Laboratory is moving to 135 N. Chestnut Street

The Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory, currently located at 1510 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, Missouri, will be relocating to a new facility at 135 N. Chestnut Street, Jefferson City, Missouri, on or about January 1, 2027. Please update your records to reflect the new Crime Laboratory address:

Missouri State Highway Patrol
Crime Laboratory
135 N. Chestnut Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101

Additional information regarding the transition, including any changes to evidence submission procedures or services, can be obtained by contacting the laboratory at (573) 526-6134.

The new building is the State of Missouri Multi-Agency Laboratory Campus, which will also house laboratories for the Departments of Health and Senior Services, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Conservation. Read about the project (opens on oa.mo.gov).

Latent Prints

Friction ridge skin is more commonly known as fingerprints. It is the skin on the palms and fingers of the hand and the soles and toes of the feet, with raised ridges and furrows between them; this corrugated surface is designed for grasping and holding items. At the tops of the ridges there are sweat pores. The ridges do not simply start on one side of the finger and travel straight and uninterrupted to the other, but stop, start, and branch into multiple ridges to form unique and individual patterns. Friction ridge skin forms in the twelfth to sixteenth week of fetal development and, except for changing in size due to growth, remains the same throughout a person's life until decomposition.

A latent print is a chance or accidental reproduction of some area of friction ridge skin; by definition, latent means hidden or not visible. The pores at the tops of the friction ridges constantly exude water and waste products, which cover the ridges. When items are touched, this moisture and any other contaminants are deposited on the surface in the pattern of the friction ridges, not unlike a rubber stamp. Since the latent print is not visible, a development process must be used to make it visible.

A known print is a deliberate reproduction of some area of friction ridge skin. This is most often done by applying printer's ink to the fingers or palm and placing them on a white fingerprint card, producing a reproduction of the friction ridge pattern.

The two principles underlying the use of fingerprints as a positive means of identification are that fingerprints are permanent and unique. An area of friction ridge skin on an individual will not be duplicated elsewhere on their own hands or feet, nor on any other person's hands or feet.

The stopping, starting, and branching of ridges occurs randomly, forming the individual ridge characteristics that examiners look for. An examiner carries out a side-by-side comparison of the unknown, or developed latent print, against the known print, usually using a five-power magnifier. The examiner looks for the same type of individual ridge characteristic, in the same location, in both prints.

These characteristics must be in the same unit relationship to each other. For instance, if there are two ridges between two ridge characteristics in the unknown print, there must be two ridges between the same two characteristics in the known print. If a sufficient quantity of those individual characteristics is found with no unexplainable differences, the examiner can state that the same person made the developed latent print and the known print, to the exclusion of all other persons.

There is no scientific way to know how long a latent fingerprint will last. Fingerprints have been developed on surfaces that had not been touched in over forty years, yet not developed on a surface handled very recently. A multitude of factors affect how long fingerprints last, including the type of surface touched, the individual who touched it, and environmental conditions.

There is no scientific way to date a developed latent fingerprint. The only way to know its approximate age is to know when the surface it was found on was last thoroughly cleaned. Latent print residue will generally not survive a thorough cleaning, so if a print is developed it was probably deposited after that cleaning.

No. No one has the same fingerprints; although identical twins share the same DNA, they have different fingerprints.

Under the right conditions, latent prints can be recovered from almost any surface. As technology advances, the opportunities to recover latent prints advance with it, so that surfaces which would not have been checked years ago now routinely yield latent prints.

DNA Analysis

A purple-capped (EDTA) blood tube is preferred. Alternatively, a buccal swab, taken from the interior cheek, may be used as a reference standard.

The expiration date refers to the blood tube only. If the blood tube has expired, replace it with a purple-capped (EDTA) tube from hospital stock. Do not discard the kit.

The DNA section must make every reasonable effort to associate biological stains with the individuals who may have left them. Given the sensitivity of current DNA procedures, mixtures of DNA on an item are not uncommon. For example, a suspect's blood may be found on a victim's clothing; simply by wearing the garment, the victim may also have left their own DNA, creating a mixture. Without a standard from the victim as well as the suspect, there would always be a question as to whose other DNA is present.

A standard is a reference biological specimen from a known individual. Obtaining one is similar to obtaining a ten-print card for fingerprint comparison. Intravenous blood and buccal swabs are appropriate standards for comparison.

A secondary standard is a reference standard that is not an intimate sample such as intravenous blood or a buccal swab. Secondary standards are normally items used by a person, such as a toothbrush, used dental floss, or a shaving razor. These are generally avoided because it cannot always be established that the item came from the person in question. Where an appropriate standard is available, it will always be requested instead. In circumstances where one is not available, such as missing persons, mass disasters, or interred bodies, a secondary standard will be considered.

The laboratory does not have the capacity to attend every crime scene, but is available to assist in unusual situations.

Analysts must hold a baccalaureate degree in one of the natural sciences, such as biology, chemistry, or forensic science. Coursework must include 20 semester hours in biology. Credit in genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology, or other subjects providing a basic understanding of the foundations of forensic DNA analysis should be included in those hours. Credit in statistics or population genetics is recommended.

The laboratory does not currently perform paternity testing, but will DNA type samples in criminal cases where paternity may be an issue.

The appropriate and preferred source is distilled water on a sterile swab. Bottled water purchased at a convenience or grocery store may be considered distilled. If an appropriate water source is not available, tap water is acceptable.

The Crime Laboratory Division accepts evidence from any law enforcement agency, regulatory agency, or law enforcement function branch of an agency in or of the State of Missouri or the federal government. All evidence must be associated with a criminal investigation; evidence associated with civil litigation is not accepted.

DNA evidence and convicted offender blood samples are accepted according to the criteria set out in the MSHP DNA Profiling Service Pamphlet and Section 650.055 RSMo. Agencies and laboratories requesting DNA profiling searches on forensic crime scene samples or offender information must submit their request according to the MSHP Guidelines for Convicted Offender Sample and CODIS Database Usage.

All evidence must have a proper seal installed. A proper seal is closure of the container by any sealing device that protects the contents from loss, cross transfer, contamination, or degradation during routine handling. The seal should be such that entry into the container results in obvious damage or alteration to the container or its seal, and is further authenticated by the initials or identifying mark of the individual responsible for the contents. Evidence too large to be sealed, such as vehicle body parts, mattresses, or house doors, is stored in a secure area of the laboratory and examined as soon as possible.

The laboratory does not repeat or duplicate forensic examinations previously performed by another laboratory outside the MSHP system. Supplemental testing not previously performed will be conducted only if a copy of the original laboratory's report accompanies the submitted evidence. The laboratory also does not repeat examinations performed by its own staff, except where re-examination is a quality control check or where casework is being evaluated as part of a documented corrective action.

Evidence and samples collected from evidence are generally returned to the submitting agency once examinations are complete. With written authorization and signature from the individual responsible for the evidence, laboratory staff may dispose of coroner or medical examiner blood samples, Drug Recognition Expert training samples, and Liquor Control regulatory beverage samples. A Disposition of Evidence form, signed letter, or other signed documentation requesting destruction is retained in the case file. Any markings identifying a victim or suspect are removed or permanently obliterated before disposal, and all items are disposed of safely and properly.

The DNA section services 114 counties and over 300 municipalities, and works cases on a sequential basis. It may be several months before a particular case is begun. If a case needs to be expedited, contact the laboratory director to present your request.

DNA evidence is best used to make strong associations between victims, suspects, and crime scenes. Because DNA testing is expensive, the laboratory aims to generate as many associations as possible using the least amount of resources and evidentiary material.

Accreditation requirements and laboratory policy require considerably more information in reports than may seem necessary to a casual reader.

The laboratory reports that two samples are consistent with each other rather than using the term match. Although the two may mean the same thing to most people, match is avoided because it can misrepresent the samples as being identical. Typing DNA amounts to comparing what is observed in the unknown specimen with what is observed in the known specimen, and reports cover only a small portion of the DNA molecule. Without typing the entire molecule end to end, it cannot be said with complete certainty that samples match, only that they are consistent with each other across the area compared.

Because only a small portion of the DNA molecule is examined, a frequency statistic is applied to the genetic loci observed, giving a statistical measure of how often the observed genetic profile would be expected. In other words, the report states how frequent or rare it would be to randomly encounter the questioned profile across all the genetic areas tested. This is similar to everyday statistical measures, such as the frequency of obtaining heads on a coin flip being one in two, or a six on a six-sided die being one in six.

Biological specimens inherently harbor bacteria, and bacteria grow in warm, moist environments. Packaging biological specimens in plastic encourages bacterial growth by keeping the specimen warm and moist. Packaging in paper or cardboard allows the specimen to breathe and removes the moisture bacteria need most. Packaging in paper and keeping the specimen cold or frozen is the most suitable way to limit bacterial growth.

Yes, hair contains DNA. Because of the cost of DNA analysis, the laboratory recommends that the questioned hair and a hair standard first be submitted for microscopic hair comparison. If the examiner finds the questioned hair similar to the standard, DNA analysis may be recommended. If the root of the hair is in its active growing stage, DNA may be extracted from the root. If the root is not in its active growing stage and was naturally shed, the hair would be a candidate for mitochondrial DNA analysis, which the Patrol laboratory does not perform.

The laboratory performs DNA testing on DNA extracted from the nucleus of the cell. Mitochondria are organelles that maintain their own autonomous genome and are far more abundant than cell nuclei, so biological specimens contain much more mitochondrial DNA. Hair and bone tissue in particular do not contain nuclei, and therefore have no nuclear DNA, which makes them well suited to mitochondrial testing.

A distinct advantage of mitochondrial DNA testing is that the mitochondrial genome is maternally inherited and does not undergo recombination, making it very useful for comparing maternal lineages. This can be valuable in missing person or found body cases. Where mitochondrial testing is recommended, the laboratory will assist in obtaining it.

DNA Profiling and CODIS

Any individual found guilty of a felony or of any offense under Chapter 566 RSMo. Also, any individual seventeen years of age or older who is arrested for burglary in the first degree under Section 569.160 RSMo, burglary in the second degree under Section 569.170 RSMo, or a felony offense under Chapters 565, 566, 567, 568, and 573 RSMo.

In addition, any individual determined to be a sexually violent predator under Sections 632.480 to 632.513 RSMo, or required to register as a sexual offender under Sections 589.400 to 589.425 RSMo, will be profiled for the DNA database.

CODIS stands for Combined DNA Index System. It is a national system of computer databases designed by the FBI to store DNA profiles from convicted offenders, crime scene evidence, and missing persons. Any DNA profile developed from evidence in a case can be searched against the databases, and possible investigative leads may develop from matching profiles.

CODIS searches can be conducted on DNA profiles developed from biological evidence in any criminal investigation. In theory, any biological material could yield a DNA profile given sufficient quality and quantity of sample from the perpetrator.

A CODIS hit can be made by a DNA profile from evidence matching the profile of a convicted offender, or by evidence in one case matching the profile from another case. The match provides an investigative lead to the detective or investigator, who will conduct further investigation to determine whether the involvement of the convicted offender has any punitive value.

Profiles are maintained in the system indefinitely, barring any legal requirement to remove them.

If you have biological evidence believed to be from the perpetrator of a crime and a DNA profile is developed, that profile will automatically be searched against the DNA database in Missouri and nationally. The sample remains in the database and is continually searched against it as it grows. If there is a hit against a convicted offender or another case, you will be contacted and provided with the offender's name or the name of the investigator on the other case.

If the DNA profile is of sufficient quality it will automatically be shared with all states. A match may occur with an offender or crime scene sample from another state.

Send a written request on departmental letterhead to the Crime Laboratory CODIS Administrator. Include as much identifying information about the individual as possible, such as full name, date of birth, and social security, Department of Corrections, or State Identification numbers. To obtain information about an offender from another state, the request must be sent to that state's CODIS Administrator; the laboratory can assist.

Toxicology

Gray stoppered tubes are highly recommended. These typically contain two preservatives, sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate, which help prevent clotting as well as microbial action. The laboratory only accepts gray stoppered tubes for blood alcohol testing.

Blood is best for determining which drugs were present at the time of an incident. Active drugs, meaning those having a physiological effect on the body, can present as possible indicators of impairment in blood. Urine is only indicative of past usage and does not necessarily reflect presence at the time of the incident, though it is typically easier for an agency to collect, whereas a trained phlebotomist is necessary to draw blood.

No. The presence of a drug in blood does not necessarily prove impairment. Several factors, including dosage, metabolism, and tolerance, all play an important role in an individual's possible impairment. Officer observation remains the best source of proving impairment.

Urine samples should be refrigerated or frozen within 24 hours of collection. It is best practice to refrigerate blood samples upon collection.

Only a single draw is necessary. When alcohol back extrapolations are performed in court, toxicologists routinely base their estimations on the value of the first blood draw and do not factor in subsequent draws. Second and third draws are not necessary.

The stated reporting limit is the lowest value, or limit of quantitation, that would be reported. Results below the reporting limit of 0.010 percent are reported as negative for ethyl alcohol.

Still have questions?

Contact the Crime Laboratory

Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

Call (573) 526-6134Crime Laboratory Division