SHERIFF_AnnualReport_8.5x11_041521_WEB

RIME LAB
THE CRIME
LABORATORY
AND FORENSIC
SERVICES UNIT
Small but mighty, the seven-person
Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory is
comprised of the Forensic Laboratory
Unit, the Forensic Services Crime
Scene Unit, the Cal-ID Program, and
a legal clerk. The Crime Lab is responsible
for processing evidence that
supports the investigations of the
Sheriff’s Office and partnering law
enforcement agencies throughout
the county.
THE FORENSIC LABORATORY
UNIT
The Forensic Laboratory houses the
Forensic Alcohol Unit and the Chemistry/Toxicology
Unit. The Forensic
Laboratory is responsible for analyzing
biological samples in DUI (driving under
the influence) cases, analyzing biological
samples for narcotics, and analyzing
controlled substances.
The Forensic Alcohol Unit is run by
one Forensic Laboratory Specialist. In
2020, the Forensic Alcohol Laboratory
provided service to 11 different law
enforcement agencies throughout
San Luis Obispo County. The laboratory
was responsible for maintaining
the department’s 40 Draeger Alcotest
7510 breath alcohol instruments,
which are in use at 16 different
locations in the county.
The Chemistry/Toxicology Unit
includes one Forensic Laboratory
Specialist and one Forensic Laboratory
Assistant. The Forensic
Laboratory Unit provides Controlled
Substance and Urine Drugs of Abuse
testing for the law enforcement
agencies at San Luis Obispo, Paso
Robles, Atascadero, Morro Bay,
Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Arroyo
Grande, Cal Poly State University,
Cuesta Community College, the
California State Parks stations, the
California Men’s Colony, San Luis
Obispo County Probation, San Luis
Obispo County Suspected Abuse
Response Team, and the Sheriff’s
Office Substations and Jail.
Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, drug
samples submitted for testing were up
almost 10% from 2019. One especially
substantial rise was fentanyl cases. In
2020 fentanyl cases submitted to the lab
increased over 1,300% from 2019 and
nearly 2,500% since 2017. Close to
2,500 drug cases and 900 urine samples
were processed by the Sheriff’s Office
Chemistry/Toxicology Unit in 2020.
Additionally, the Chemistry/Toxicology
Unit works closely with District
Attorney’s Office, submitting the results
from lab specimens directly to the DA’s
Office within three to four days of receiving
them. This timely turnaround helps
the DA’s Office accomplish more
efficient case adjudication. The unit also
provides expert-witness testimony
during court proceedings. To date, over
7,000 drug test reports have been
completed.
THE FORENSIC SERVICES UNIT
The Forensic Services Unit consists of
two Forensic Specialists that respond to
crime scenes to process and collect
evidence in criminal cases within the
county. The Forensic Services Unit is
20 SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE