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HSI Forensic Laboratory

HSI Forensic Laboratory

HSI Forensic Laboratory

The HSI Forensic Laboratory provides a broad range of document and latent print-related forensic, intelligence and investigative support services for HSI, ICE, DHS and many other U.S. and foreign law enforcement agencies. The laboratory has been accredited since February 17, 2001. The laboratory is currently accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under the International Standard ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories in the field of Forensic Testing, specifically in the disciplines of Forensic Document and Friction Ridge Examinations. The mission of the lab is to protect U.S. national security by providing expert quality forensic, scientific, intelligence and investigative support services to DHS, ICE, HSI and other foreign and domestic agencies.

Forensic Document Examiners assigned to the lab analyze passports, visas, identity cards, birth certificates and related documents to determine authenticity and reveal alterations, testify as expert witnesses in judicial proceedings and provide technical expertise to agencies that develop and issue secure travel and identity documents. The lab’s Latent Print Unit provides a complete range of forensic fingerprint services to include latent print processing, inked print examinations, inked and latent print comparisons, Automated Fingerprint Identification System database searches, expert witness testimony, training and crime scene response. Digital and Multimedia Sciences personnel enhance digital and multimedia evidence, including audio, video and still image files. Operations personnel identify and disseminate information regarding altered and counterfeit travel and identity documents. The laboratory distributes this information to law enforcement officers worldwide through its document intelligence alerts and reference guides. The HSI Forensic Laboratory staff creates and conducts customized fraudulent document detection training for a wide variety of U.S. and foreign government agencies as part of HSI’s efforts to build working partnerships.

The laboratory also operates the HSI Polygraph Program, which is accredited by the Department of Defense, National Center for Credibility Assessment. Examiners conduct polygraph examinations in support of a wide variety of HSI investigations including counter-proliferation, human smuggling and trafficking, national security and narcotics smuggling.

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Arms & Strategic Technology Proliferation

Arms and Strategic Technology Proliferation

Preventing illicit export & transfer of sensitive technology & defense articles

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Human Smuggling

Human Smuggling

Identifying, disrupting & dismantling transnational criminal human smuggling networks

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Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking

Leading the global fight against human trafficking

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Narcotics Trafficking

Narcotics Smuggling

Identifying, disrupting & dismantling international drug trafficking organizations

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Terrorism and National Security Threats

Terrorism and National Security Threats

Applying the agency’s vast authorities to protect national security

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