Crime Laboratory and Property

The Grand Junction Police Department’s crime laboratory section provides the oversight, safekeeping and processing of evidence and property items which are collected by officers, investigators and technicians on a daily basis. The unit is allocated for a staff of 6 full time employees, a Lieutenant who manages the unit, two evidence and property technicians responsible for the management submitted property and evidence items, two lab Criminalists who analyze and identify controlled substances and compounds, and a Criminalist who focuses on fingerprint identification. The unit also has a part time employee who provides clerical and evidence processing, and quartermaster duties. Two volunteers assist with property management, records and filing responsibilities.

The crime lab works closely with GJPD Investigators and Officers, as well as the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Evidence is normally held until a case is adjudicated, including any appeals. When authorized for release, property owners are notified and advised of the conditions they must meet to retrieve their property. The number of items submitted continues to increase, creating a shortage of storage and work space. On a short term basis, the department is looking to move the property section to an off-site location to ease space constraints until a more permanent solution can be identified and implemented.

Page Updated: May 18, 2007