Mexico Laboratory Directors Course Architectural Design of Crime Laboratory James Aguilar J.A....
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Transcript of Mexico Laboratory Directors Course Architectural Design of Crime Laboratory James Aguilar J.A....
Mexico Laboratory Directors Course
Architectural Design
of
Crime Laboratory
James Aguilar
J.A. Architecture & Consulting
Forensic - Architectural Design
Key Issues in designing a Crime Laboratory• Unique laboratory type• Evidence protection• Chain-of-Custody • Contamination concerns• Safety issues • Biological hazards• Security (Internal & External)• Planning issues
o Evidence flow though labo Accreditationo Space to allow program growth / flexibilityo Future facility growth (Forensic program/technologies evolving)
• Robust & Dependable building systems
Forensic - Architectural Design
What makes a Crime Laboratory different to other Laboratory types
• Evidence – One of A Kind• Regulatory issues (ASCLD)• Cross contamination concerns• Security requirements• Safety concerns
o Unknown products• Layout space
o Evidence examinationo Crime scene re-enactments
• Separation of lab instrumentation• MEP systems
Forensic - Architectural Design
Evidence – One of A Kind• Tracking (Electronic)
• Security
• Chain-of-Custody
• Receiving & Storage
• Central storage vs. Satellite storageoHigh-Density storage system
• Cross contamination
Forensic - Architectural Design
Cross Contamination Issues• Evidence
• Staff
• HVAC systemsoSeparate systems
– Between labs and office Areas
– Evidence storage rooms
– Drying rooms
• Bio-Vestibules to labs
Forensic - Architectural Design
Safety Issues• Staff protection
• Evidence –Unknown health issues
• Air-borne pathogens
• Potential explosive evidence
• Chemical storage
• Separate air systems for labs & offices
Forensic - Architectural Design
Security Issues• Passive system
oPlanning of site and building to minimize risk• Electronic
oSurveillance camerasoCard access systemo Intrusion detection system
• Physical oExternal
– Exterior walls– Site barriers
• Internal planning
Forensic - Architectural Design
Levels of Security - Internal• Zone 1 - Public Lobby, Restrooms and Reception
• Zone 2 - Semi-Public Circulation Zones
• Zone 3 - Secured rooms - Laboratories
• Zone 4 - High Security – Evidence & Narcotics
Zone 1Zone 2Zone 3Zone 4
Forensic - Architectural Design
Site Issues• Controlled entry points• Adjacent to clients• Secured parking – Staff & Evidence contributors• Parking
oVisitorsoEvidence contributoroStaffoCrime laboratory vehicles
• Future expansion potential• Blast zone clearance
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Sections• Forensic Biology Lab (DNA functions Fast
growing section – New technology evolution)
• Mitochondrial DNA Lab (New technology evolving)
• Low Copy DNA Lab (New technology evolving)
• CODIS
• Trace Evidence Lab
• Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) room
• Arson Lab
• Firearms Lab / Firing Range (Projectile recovery tank)
• Toolmarks
• Gun Shot Residue Lab
• Toxicology Lab
• Blood / Breath Alcohol Lab
• Controlled Substances Lab• Latent Prints• Computer Forensics (Fast growing section –
New technology evolution)• Questioned Documents• Digital Imaging• Audio/Video/Photography• Vehicle Examination• Evidence Processing• Evidence Storage• Evidence examination/screening room• Instrumentation Room for laboratory
equipment• Crime Scene Re-enactment Room – Multi-
purpose
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations• Forensic Biology
o One Way Travel
- examination > extraction > set-up > bio-vestibule > amplification > exit
o Distance separation of room
o Temperature sensitivity
o Contamination concerns
o Casework mobility
o Refrigerated evidence
o Dedicated functions – reagent prep, janitors closets, examination rooms
o Examination rooms – separate victim and suspect
• Mitochondrial DNA (New technology - evolving)o Bio-Vestibule: Inter-locking doors
o One Way Travel
o Distance separation
o Temperature sensitivity
o Contamination concerns
o Casework mobility
o Biological safety cabinet – bone grinding
• Low Copy DNA (New technology - evolving)o Bio-Vestibule: Inter-locking doors
• CODIS o Non-Laboratory space
o Sample storage
o Data/Telecommunication connections
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations• Trace Evidence Lab
o Mobile tables – evidence could be large items
o Individual U-shaped workstations
– Deep countertop depth 36”
o Shared countertop space
o Instrumentation room
o Microscopy room – vibration sensitivity & light control
o Low air flow and air distribution locations
o Adjustable task exhaust/lighting
o Lighting – multi-level and natural lighting
• Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) roomo Vibration & temperature sensitivity
o Avoid electromagnetic radiation – possible shielding
o Temperature & humidity control
o Utility closet – pumps
o Liquid nitrogen delivery
• Arson Labo Volatile evidence
o Individual U-shaped workstations
o Explosion-proof fume hoods & refrigerator/freezers
o Task exhaust /lighting
o Chemical storage cabinet
• Gun Shot Residue Labo Contamination control
o Air pressurization
o Mobile tables
o Do no locate near firing range
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations• Vehicle Examination
o Clear overhead clearance 12-14 feet pluso Clear space around vehicleso Separate bays for multiple vehicleso Vehicle lift types – Mobile or fixedo Lighting – Multi-level switching & adjustableo Multi-purpose spaces – large space for large evidence itemso Exhaust hose with articulating armso 100% exhausto Fixed durable casework – Tool storageo Hose reels – air, water, electrical etc.
• Crime Scene Equipment Storageo Equipment lockerso Shower/Restroom nearby
• Drying Roomso Adjacent to Vehicle Examination, Evidence intake & Crime Scene Vehicle parkingo Decomtaminable finishes – harsh cleaning fluidso Exhaust for odors – High & Low exhaust registerso Bug screens and gasketing
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations• Firearms Laboratory
o Individual U-Shaped workstations
o Darkenable workstations
o Microscope tables – vertically adjustable & vibration sensitive
o Lighting - Multi-level switching
o Reference gun collection storage room
– Size to accommodate future growth
o Ammunition storage
o NIBIN Unit
o International Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) room
• Firing Range
o Distance Range – Length based upon type of weapons
o Concrete walls and ceiling – Design to test weapon types
o Air flow away from firing line – 75 fpm @ firing line
o 100% exhaust – lead particles – HEPA filtration
o Acoustical panels & deflection panels at walls and ceilings
o Lighting – Multi-level switching & adjustable
o Space for casing ejection distance determination
o Bullet traps type
– wet snail trap, dry snail trap, rubber lamella, granule
o Projectile recovery tank
o Target retrieval system
• Toolmarks
o Wood countertops – Tool storage
o Fume hood
o Adjacent to firing range
Photo courtesy of www.balloggophoto.com
Photo courtesy of www.balloggophoto.com
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations• Toxicology Lab
o Linear casework layouto Separate from drug laboratoryo Fume hoodso Instrumentation room – Not shared with drug labo Drug standards storage vaulto Balance room or counter space
– Vibration sensitive
o Sample receiving areao Coroner toxicology analysis – separate room - odors
• Blood / Breath Alcohol Labo Linear casework layouto Instrument repair bencho Sample receiving areao Task exhaust /lightingo Fume hoodso Instrumentation benches
– Linear casework layout
o Calibration room for instruments– Storage for instruments , parts and tools– Linear casework layout– Mobile tables and carts
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations• Controlled Substances Lab
o Individual U-Shaped workstations– Locking storage cabinets
o Shared countertop spaceo Vibration sensitive area
– Marble table - balances
o Task exhaust/lightingo Low flow countertop fume extractor
– Fine dust particles
o Secured reference drugs standards storage roomo Dedicated instrumentation roomo Reagent prep room – shared o Explosion fume hoods & refrigerator/freezerso Chemical storage cabinet
Photo courtesy of www.balloggophoto.com
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations• Latent Prints
o Individual U-Shaped workstations– Dusting stations – fume hood
o Mobile tableso Space for large itemso Chemical Processing Lab
– Superglue cabinets– Dye staining sink
o Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)o Alternate light source roomo Laser room
• Computer Forensicso Non-Laboratory spaceo Individual U-Shaped digital workstationso Anti-static finisheso Sensitive information under review
– No direct outside observation– Visitor warning system
o Multiple electrical and data outletso Clean room – Evidence hard drive recoveryo Computer evidence storage room
Photo courtesy of www.balloggophoto.com
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations• Questioned Documents
o Non-Laboratory spaceo Perimeter caseworko Mobile tableso Light tableo Lighting – Multi-level switching & natural daylightingo Chemical processing room – Fume hood
• Digital Imagingo Non-Laboratory spaceo Perimeter caseworko Mobile tableso Lighting – Multi-level switching & natural daylighting
• Audio/Video/Photographyo Non-Laboratory spaceo Mobile tableso Lighting – Multi-level switching & natural daylighting
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations• Evidence Intake/Processing
o Evidence exchange counters
o Adjacent to exterior access
o Evidence contributor lobby and separate triage room
o Security camera monitoring
o Off hours evidence drop-off lockers
o Mobile casework – flexible arrangements
o Areas for logging in and processing evidence
o Distribution method to staff
o Hazardous Evidence Processing laboratory – Suspect evidence
o Evidence shipping area
• Evidence Storageo Secured rooms – full height walls and hard ceilings
o Various evidence storage vaults/rooms – Dry storage - Valuables
– Biological - Chemical – Clan Lab & Arson
– Weapons - Refrigerated
– Narcotics - Outgoing evidence
o Main evidence storage complex –vs.- satellite evidence storage rooms
o Storage Systems– High-Density mobile storage system
– Fixed Shelving
o Ventilations – Air exchange rate and high/low exhaust– 100% exhaust
o Drying rooms for wet/odorous evidence
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations• Evidence Examination/Screening Room
o Shared or dedicatedo Mobile tableso Perimeter fixed casework / storage cabinetso Fume hood or Biological safety cabineto Oversized entry doorso Lighting - Multi-level switching and adjustableo Overhead racks – adjustableo Low velocity air flow
– Plan placement of registers
o High & low exhaust registers
• Instrumentation Room for Laboratory Equipmento Control heat sourceo Minimize services (electrical & gases) – cost savingo Control noise level in laboratory spaceo Maintenance service access to back of instrument
• Crime Scene Re-enactment Room – Multi-purposeo Clear floor areao Cleanable walls and ceilings
Photo courtesy of www.balloggophoto.com
Photo courtesy of www.balloggophoto.com
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Planning Issues• Adjacencies
• Relationships
• Future growth
• Structural column spacing
• Evidence security
• Evidence flow
• Evidence & Secured file storage systems o High Density storage systems
• Evidence deliveryo Entry pointo Hours of operation
• Contamination
• Regional caseload types
•Refrigeration & FreezersoWalk-in units verse Stand aloneoTemperature monitoring and alarming•Biological hazardsoUnknown evidenceoClandestine drugs•Bodily fluids
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Casework Layout• Understand function of lab section to determine which casework type(s)
are suitable
• Laboratory function (Generalist -vs.- Specialized)
• Linear layout -vs.- U-Shaped layouto Circulation path impacto Air flow due to circulationo Contamination concernso Fine particle disturbance
• Standing -vs.- Sitting height
• Fixed and/or Adjustable
• Accommodate future growth
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Casework Types• Need to understand function of lab section to
determine which casework type is suitableoWood CaseworkoMetal caseworkoPlastic LaminateoStainless Steel
• Fixed Casework -vs.- Mobile Casework• Adjustable Casework• Mobile Tables (offer flexibility)
Forensic - Architectural Design
Laboratory Equipment• Building System Coordination
o Chemical fume hoodso Biological safety cabinetso Overhead track systemso Low flow countertop exhaust
cabinetso Task Exhaust – point of useo Vehicle examination lifto Stand alone refrigerators & freezerso Walk-in cold boxeso High-density file storage systems
o Point of use laboratory gas generators
o Autoclaveo Laboratory glasswashero Water polishing unit –
Type 1 point of useo Horizontal projectile rec. tanko Bullet trapo Owner provided/installed
laboratory equipment
Forensic - Architectural Design
Finishes• Understand function of laboratory section to
determine which type(s) are suitable:oDurableoDe-contaminableoCleanableoChemical resistances oLaboratory grade productsoEpoxy finishesoNon-particulate & non-dustingoSecure / Attack resistantoCost
Forensic - Architectural Design
Mechanical Issues• Temperature control / Sensitivity
o DNA Sections
o SEM
• Air Supplyo Low flow
o Avoid placement of air supply diffusers over evidence examination areas
• Pressurization (Bio Vestibule)
• Zoning of each laboratory unito Services
o Control
• Humidity & De-Humidification
• HEPA Filterso Firing Range
• Fume hood exhaust – Separate from building exhaust systemo Odors
o Volatile fumes
• Exhaust systemso Labs: avoid plenum return system –
odors & contamination
o Task exhaust – point of use
o 100% Exhaust –vs.- Recirculation
- Laboratory suites and Evidence - 100% exhaust
- Office – recirculation
o High & low exhaust
• Acoustics & Vibration
Forensic - Architectural Design
Electrical Issues• Standard power• Emergency power• Power distribution
o Electrical Raceway – Flexibilityo Different power distribution at:
– Laboratory spaces– Instrumentation rooms – Offices
• Uninterruptible Power Systems• Clean Power – Harmonic
Distortion• Data / Communications Systems
• Lighting systemso Exterior and Interioro Lighting levels – Laboratory
spaces -vs.- evidence examination
o Fixture typeso Multi-level switching
• Task lighting• Grounding system• Fire Alarm System• Paging & Public address systems
Forensic - Architectural Design
Plumbing• Water systems
o Industrialo Domestico Ultra Pure (Type I – IV)o Deionized Watero R.O. Water
• Disposal systemso Lab wasteo Chemicalo Floor drains
• Emergency Showers / Eyewash Units
• Vacuum system
• Lab Gaseso Hydrogeno Nitrogeno Heliumo Purge Gaso Zero Air
• Lab Gas distribution systemo House system o Point-of-use generatorso Cylinders
• Fire Protection systemso Wet pipeo Dry pipe (Pre-Action systems)o Chemical
Forensic - Architectural Design
Design Process• Needs Assessment• Facility Assessment• Programming• Conceptual Design• Documentation (Schematic Design, Design
Development & Contract Documents)• Bidding• Construction• Commissioning (Not just building systems, but
include forensic equipment and systems)• Close-out
Forensic - Architectural Design
Future Trends in Forensic Investigation• Forensic lab buildings need to be designed with the ability to expand
o Internally
o Externally
• Increasing automation in certain lab procedures
o Robotics
o Future DNA Analysis - Chip DNA
• Emergence of digital evidence as a new lab section
o Computer Forensics
o Cell Phone Digital Data
o Video Surveillance Data
• Increasing reliance upon computerized data bases:
o AFIS
o CODIS
o NIBIN
• Digital photography occurs throughout the laboratory
• Multiple utility services (Lab gases, electrical power etc.) to accommodate future instrument upgrades
Forensic - Architectural Design
Conclusion - Key Issues in designing a forensic facility• Unique laboratory type• Evidence protection• Chain of Custody • Contamination concerns• Safety issues • Biological hazards• Security (Internal & External)• Planning issues
o Evidence flow though labo Accreditationo Space to allow program growth / flexibilityo Future facility growth (Forensic program/technologies evolving)
• Robust & Dependable Building Systems