Mexico Laboratory Directors Course Architectural Design of Crime

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 o Evidence flow though lab Accreditation Space to allow program growth / flexibility 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 examination o 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 storage o High-Density storage system • Cross contamination

Forensic - Architectural Design Cross Contamination Issues • Evidence • Staff • HVAC systems o Separate 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 o Planning of site and building to minimize risk • Electronic o Surveillance cameras o Card access system o Intrusion detection system • Physical o External – 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 1 2 3 4

Forensic - Architectural Design Site Issues • • Controlled entry points Adjacent to clients Secured parking – Staff & Evidence contributors Parking o Visitors o Evidence contributor o Staff o Crime 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 technology evolving) (New • Low Copy DNA Lab technology evolving) (New • CODIS • Trace Evidence Lab • Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) room • Arson Lab • Firearms Lab / Firing Range (Projectile recovery tank) • Toolmarks • • • 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 – Multipurpose

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 o o o • Bio-Vestibule: Inter-locking doors One Way Travel Distance separation Temperature sensitivity Contamination concerns Casework mobility Biological safety cabinet – bone grinding Low Copy DNA (New technology - evolving) o Bio-Vestibule: Inter-locking doors

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) room o Vibration & temperature sensitivity o Avoid electromagnetic radiation – possible shielding o Temperature & humidity control o Utility closet – pumps o Liquid nitrogen delivery

Forensic - Architectural Design Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations • Vehicle Examination o o o o o • Clear overhead clearance 12 -14 feet plus Clear space around vehicles Separate bays for multiple vehicles Vehicle lift types – Mobile or fixed Lighting – Multi-level switching & adjustable Multi-purpose spaces – large space for large evidence items Exhaust hose with articulating arms 100% exhaust Fixed durable casework – Tool storage Hose reels – air, water, electrical etc. Crime Scene Equipment Storage o Equipment lockers o Shower/Restroom nearby • Drying Rooms o o Adjacent to Vehicle Examination, Evidence intake & Crime Scene Vehicle parking Decomtaminable finishes – harsh cleaning fluids Exhaust for odors – High & Low exhaust registers Bug screens and gasketing

Forensic - Architectural Design Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations • Firearms Laboratory o Individual U-Shaped workstations o Darkenable workstations Photo courtesy of www. balloggophoto. com 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 Photo courtesy of www. balloggophoto. com

Forensic - Architectural Design Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations • Toxicology Lab o o o Linear casework layout Separate from drug laboratory Fume hoods Instrumentation room – Not shared with drug lab Drug standards storage vault Balance room or counter space – Vibration sensitive o Sample receiving area o Coroner toxicology analysis – separate room - odors • Blood / Breath Alcohol Lab o o o Linear casework layout Instrument repair bench Sample receiving area Task exhaust /lighting Fume hoods 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 space o Vibration sensitive area – Marble table - balances o Task exhaust/lighting o Low flow countertop fume extractor – o o o Fine dust particles Secured reference drugs standards storage room Dedicated instrumentation room Reagent prep room – shared Explosion fume hoods & refrigerator/freezers 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 tables o Space for large items o Chemical Processing Lab – – Superglue cabinets Dye staining sink o Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) o Alternate light source room o Laser room • Computer Forensics o o Non-Laboratory space Individual U-Shaped digital workstations Anti-static finishes Sensitive information under review – – No direct outside observation Visitor warning system o Multiple electrical and data outlets o Clean room – Evidence hard drive recovery o Computer evidence storage room Photo courtesy of www. balloggophoto. com

Forensic - Architectural Design Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations • Questioned Documents o o o • Digital Imaging o o • Non-Laboratory space Perimeter casework Mobile tables Light table Lighting – Multi-level switching & natural daylighting Chemical processing room – Fume hood Non-Laboratory space Perimeter casework Mobile tables Lighting – Multi-level switching & natural daylighting Audio/Video/Photography o Non-Laboratory space o Mobile tables o Lighting – Multi-level switching & natural daylighting

Forensic - Architectural Design Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations • Evidence Intake/Processing o o o o o Evidence exchange counters Adjacent to exterior access Evidence contributor lobby and separate triage room Security camera monitoring Off hours evidence drop-off lockers Mobile casework – flexible arrangements Areas for logging in and processing evidence Distribution method to staff Hazardous Evidence Processing laboratory – Suspect evidence o Evidence shipping area • Evidence Storage o 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

Forensic - Architectural Design Laboratory Sections – Design Considerations • Evidence Examination/Screening Room o o o o Shared or dedicated Mobile tables Perimeter fixed casework / storage cabinets Fume hood or Biological safety cabinet Oversized entry doors Lighting - Multi-level switching and adjustable Overhead racks – adjustable Low velocity air flow – Photo courtesy of www. balloggophoto. com Plan placement of registers o High & low exhaust registers • Instrumentation Room for Laboratory Equipment o o • Control heat source Minimize services (electrical & gases) – cost saving Control noise level in laboratory space Maintenance service access to back of instrument Crime Scene Re-enactment Room – Multi-purpose o Clear floor area o Cleanable walls and ceilings 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 delivery o Entry point o Hours of operation • • Contamination Regional caseload types • Refrigeration & Freezers o. Walk-in units verse Stand alone o. Temperature monitoring and alarming • Biological hazards o. Unknown evidence o. Clandestine drugs • Bodily fluids

Forensic - Architectural Design Laboratory Planning Issues

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 layout o o Circulation path impact Air flow due to circulation Contamination concerns 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 suitable o Wood Casework o Metal casework o Plastic Laminate o Stainless Steel • Fixed Casework -vs. - Mobile Casework • Adjustable Casework • Mobile Tables (offer flexibility)

Forensic - Architectural Design Laboratory Equipment • Building System Coordination o Point of use laboratory gas o Chemical fume hoods generators o Biological safety cabinets o Autoclave o Overhead track systems o Laboratory glasswasher o Low flow countertop exhaust o Water polishing unit – cabinets Type 1 point of use o Task Exhaust – point of use o Horizontal projectile rec. tank o Vehicle examination lift o Stand alone refrigerators & freezers o Bullet trap o Owner provided/installed o Walk-in cold boxes laboratory equipment o High-density file storage systems

Forensic - Architectural Design Finishes • Understand function of laboratory section to determine which type(s) are suitable: o Durable o De-contaminable o Cleanable o Chemical resistances o Laboratory grade products o Epoxy finishes o Non-particulate & non-dusting o Secure / Attack resistant o Cost

Forensic - Architectural Design Mechanical Issues • Temperature control / Sensitivity o DNA Sections o SEM • Air Supply o Low flow o Avoid placement of air supply diffusers over evidence examination areas • Fume hood exhaust – Separate from building exhaust system o Odors o Volatile fumes • Exhaust systems o Labs: avoid plenum return system – odors & contamination o Task exhaust – point of use • Pressurization (Bio Vestibule) o 100% Exhaust –vs. - Recirculation • Zoning of each laboratory unit - Laboratory suites and Evidence - 100% exhaust o Services o Control - Office – recirculation o High & low exhaust

Forensic - Architectural Design Electrical Issues • Standard power • Emergency power • Power distribution o Electrical Raceway – Flexibility o Different power distribution at: – Laboratory spaces – Instrumentation rooms – Offices • Uninterruptible Power Systems • Clean Power – Harmonic Distortion • Data / Communications Systems • Lighting systems o Exterior and Interior o Lighting levels – Laboratory spaces -vs. evidence examination o Fixture types o Multi-level switching • • Task lighting Grounding system Fire Alarm System Paging & Public address systems

Forensic - Architectural Design Plumbing • Water systems o o o Industrial Domestic Ultra Pure (Type I – IV) Deionized Water R. O. Water • Disposal systems o Lab waste o Chemical o Floor drains • Emergency Showers / Eyewash Units • Vacuum system • Lab Gases o o o Hydrogen Nitrogen Helium Purge Gas Zero Air • Lab Gas distribution system o House system o Point-of-use generators o Cylinders • Fire Protection systems o Wet pipe o Dry pipe (Pre-Action systems)

Forensic - Architectural 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

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 lab o Accreditation o Space to allow program growth / flexibility o Future facility growth (Forensic program/technologies evolving) • Robust & Dependable Building Systems

Forensic - Architectural Design Questions James Aguilar J. A. Architecture & Consulting