Forensics Sciences Division

The Biology Section conducts serology and DNA testing for criminal cases and manages Maryland’s DNA database in coordination with the FBI’s CODIS system.

The section includes five units:

• Investigative Casework Unit – Performs testing to support investigations and arrests
• Trial Casework Unit – Conducts testing to support prosecution and court cases
• Database Units (2) – Collect, process, and enter DNA samples, run CODIS searches, and report matches
• Technical Unit – Evaluates new technologies, validates methods, trains staff, and manages quality assurance and control

The Chemistry Section provides forensic analysis to support criminal investigations across Maryland. Using advanced laboratory methods, the section examines evidence such as controlled substances, toxic materials, and unknown chemicals to help identify substances and support enforcement of drug and hazardous materials laws.

Chemists work closely with investigators, prosecutors, and partner agencies to deliver accurate, timely results and may provide expert testimony in court. The section also maintains strict quality standards and continually evaluates new technologies to improve testing and reliability.

Chemistry Section Units

Controlled Dangerous Substances Units (Pikesville, Hagerstown, Berlin)
Scientists analyze seized powders, pills, plant material, and other evidence to identify controlled dangerous substances and determine accurate weights.

Trace Evidence Unit (Pikesville)
Conducts trace evidence and forensic document analysis, including fire debris, paint, fibers and textiles, tapes, and hair (for DNA suitability), as well as the identification of unknown liquids, powders, and solids. The unit also examines handwriting and printed documents.

The Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division is the only lab in the state that provides both trace evidence analysis and forensic document examination.

Crime Scene Technicians process crime scenes, to include all Independent Investigation Division (IID) cases, and are responsible for identifying, collecting, preserving, photographing, sketching, storing, and transporting evidence to the laboratory facilities. Bloodstain pattern analysis, bullet trajectory analysis, shoe print and tire track classification, and triage of evidence cartridge casings via Ballistics IQ are also available. 

Technicians are stationed strategically across the state and available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. 

The Pattern Evidence Section analyzes physical evidence to identify and compare patterns left at crime scenes. This includes firearms and toolmarks, footwear and tire impressions, and other patterned evidence that can help link people, objects, and locations.

Examiners use specialized techniques and equipment to conduct detailed comparisons and provide objective, science-based conclusions. Their work supports investigators and prosecutors and may include expert testimony in court. The section also follows strict quality standards and continually evaluates new methods to ensure accurate and reliable results.

Firearms/Toolmarks Units (Pikesville)
Scientists conduct microscopic and functional examinations of firearms and related evidence, including serial number restoration and toolmark analysis. Casework is shared between MSP and partner agencies. The NIBIN Unit test fires firearms and reviews cartridge cases for entry into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).

Latent Prints/Impressions Units (Pikesville, Hagerstown, Berlin)
Scientists examine latent fingerprints and compare them to known prints to determine if they come from the same individual. Unidentified prints are searched through the Maryland Automated Fingerprint Identification System (MAFIS) and, when appropriate, the FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI) system.

The Evidence and Toxicology Branch supports criminal investigations by managing evidence and conducting toxicology testing. The branch ensures evidence is properly received, stored, and tracked, while toxicology analysts examine biological samples to detect alcohol, drugs, and other substances. This work helps investigators and prosecutors understand impairment, cause of death, and other critical factors in a case.

Central Receiving Section (Pikesville, Hagerstown, Berlin)
The Central Receiving Section is responsible for the intake and secure control of evidence that is submitted to the laboratory for analysis and of Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) submitted for destruction. This section is the liaison between the MSP-FSD and our customers across the state.  

Toxicology Section (Pikesville, Hagerstown, Berlin)
The scientists in these units determine the alcohol concentration and identify specific drugs in blood specimens collected from suspected impaired drivers. MSP-FSD is the only laboratory in the state that offers this service. This unit is overseen by the Chief Toxicologist for Maryland State Police, per Courts and Judicial Proceedings 10-304 and Code of Maryland Regulations 29.05.03. The Chief Toxicologist also oversees the scientific operations for the Chemical Tests for Alcohol Unit.

 Administrative Unit (Pikesville)

The Administrative Unit provides support throughout the MSP-FSD. The staff provide office management functions including 

• Recruiting for civilian vacancies
• Coordinating expungement efforts
• Processing working fund expenditures
• Ordering laboratory supplies
• Conducting capital inventory
• Various administrative duties involving the
  • laboratory budget
  • personnel inquiries
  • maintaining service agreement contracts
  • processing invoices
  • logging and maintaining all submitted court summonses
  • logging
  • processing training requests, and maintaining the Division's filing system.

 Photography Unit (Pikesville)

Duties include developing and printing of images related to crime scenes and motor vehicle accidents for the Maryland State Police and other agencies. This unit also serves as the VeriPic photo database system administrator.

Quality Assurance/Safety Unit (Pikesville)

This unit is responsible for the following:

• administration and maintenance of the Quality Assurance and Safety Programs for the Division to ensure compliance with ISO 17025 Accreditation
• Maryland forensic licensing requirements
• FBI QAS Standards 
• adopted OSAC standards, and 
• internal standard operating procedures, as well as all applicable safety-related laws and best practices. 

The unit includes the Division’s Quality Assurance/Safety Manager, the Technical Leaders for Biology and Toxicology, and an Administrative Specialist.