The crime lab systems in operation across the country vary in structure. Public crime labs may be Federal-, State-, county-, or city-sponsored. Many public labs are associated with a law enforcement entity; some are associated with a district attorney's office, while others are independent government entities. Some forensic laboratories are privately held companies.
Not all laboratories are capable of providing comprehensive and complete forensic services. Some do not have the capability to conduct DNA testing and may need to contract out their DNA cases to other agencies or private corporations.
Not all laboratories are capable of the same DNA testing either. Most DNA labs have the capability to conduct testing on nuclear DNA, which is the single copy of DNA that exists in every cell nucleus. A select few specialize in Y-STR testing, which is DNA conducted on the Y-chromosome, which is found only in males.
Others specialize in testing mitochondrial DNA (or mtDNA), which is found in every cell of the body regardless of the presence of a nucleus.
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Next section: Survey of DNA Crime Laboratories
