New Mexico Department of Public Safety Forensic Laboratory: Science in service of justice

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety Forensic Laboratory stands as a model of scientific precision and integrity, where expert analysts, rigorous training, cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art facilities unite in pursuit of justice.

From firearms and toolmark analysis to DNA, latent fingerprints, controlled substances, fire debris, and evidence processing, every examination reflects the laboratory's unwavering commitment to accuracy, objectivity and scientific integrity.

Forensic Scientist Eve Tokumaru of the DNA unit - Forensic Laboratory in Santa Fe, prepares a 96-well plate for amplification.

The laboratory's mission is to deliver unbiased, science-based results that inspire confidence and serve the people of New Mexico. Every analysis is conducted with the understanding that forensic findings may ultimately be used to determine guilt, innocence or sentencing in a New Mexico court of law.

"We play a support role for law enforcement, but we are not law enforcement," said Forensic Laboratory Quality Assurance Director Dr. William Watson, who transitioned from research to forensic science. "We play a support role for the judicial system, but again, we're not the legal system. We're scientists who act as advocates for the evidence."

Forensic Laboratory Quality Assurance Director Dr. William Watson.

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety Forensic Laboratory employs 52 staff members, including 14 DNA analysts, 15 chemists, six latent print examiners, seven firearms and toolmark examiners, four evidence personnel, two legal clerks, and four administrative staff. Employees bring diverse educational and professional backgrounds, with most scientific positions requiring a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to exchange constructive feedback are essential to forensic laboratory work.

The Forensic Laboratory operates three regional laboratories in Santa Fe, Las Cruces and Hobbs, serving approximately 300 federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies, along with 13 judicial district courts and the federal court system throughout New Mexico. The workload is substantial, and the mission remains at the forefront of every case.

Teresa Vigil-Miranda of the Forensic Scientist Latent Fingerprint Unit does a visual examination of evidence for latent fingerprints.

In addition to conducting forensic analyses for hundreds of client agencies, court-qualified scientists regularly testify in courtrooms across the state regarding their findings.

In Fiscal Year 2026, the laboratory's forensic scientists analyzed more than 18,918 evidence items from 6,715 criminal cases submitted by agencies statewide and department forensic scientists appeared in 577 court ordered appearances (trials, pretrial interviews and hearings).

Excellence through training and technology

Continuous training ensures employees maintain technical proficiency, testify effectively in court and mitigate cognitive bias. Training for each forensic discipline is intensive, taking anywhere from one to four years to complete.

The laboratory supplements internal training with nationally recognized instruction, and each scientist completes comprehensive training before being certified to conduct independent casework. Scientists undergo competency testing following initial training and annual proficiency testing through outside vendors to ensure continued excellence. Employees are also encouraged to participate in professional forensic associations to strengthen their expertise and stay current with developments in the field.

Deadra Caleb in the Controlled Substances Unit of the Forensic Laboratory in Santa Fe looks at a result or spectrum of a sample analyzed via Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.

The mock trial testimony serves as a critical milestone in a forensic scientist's development, preparing them to clearly communicate complex scientific findings under cross-examination.

In addition to extensive training, the laboratory utilizes state-of-the-art instrumentation to produce reliable and scientifically sound results.

Adam Wolff, criminal forensic scientist verifying the balance with certified weights.

"Our laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art forensic technology, from genetic analyzers to precision firearms comparison microscopes," said Watson. "Each piece of equipment has a different purpose in essentially meeting the mission. We have gas chromatograph mass spectrometers in the chemistry unit that are the gold standard for chemistry analysis; without this type of equipment, much of our testing would not be possible."

Watson said recent advances in forensic technology have significantly enhanced the laboratory's capabilities. Those advancements are complemented by the new forensic laboratory facility in Santa Fe, which opened in 2024 and is four times larger than the previous laboratory.

"For anyone that's not familiar with the previous laboratory, it was much smaller," said Watson. "It was more restrictive and spread out, making it difficult to interact well as a group. Having a larger, and less segmented facility allows greater collaboration between all the different forensic disciplines than was previously possible."

The new facility also includes an on-site firearms testing range and water recovery tank, reducing turnaround times for firearms examinations. The expanded space has allowed the laboratory to add new instrumentation, increase staffing and improve workflow efficiencies. Additional DNA, controlled substances and firearms equipment, along with expanded storage for large evidence items, has enhanced the laboratory's ability to serve client agencies while reducing case backlogs.

Firearm & Toolmark Unit - water tank bullet recovery system.

Watson summed up the laboratory's mission:

"The people that work in this laboratory are detail oriented and focused. My job wouldn't be possible without their dedication. Everyone here works very hard to do the best job they can. That's what I like most about my job, the great people I get to work with. We serve the citizens of New Mexico, and it is critical for us that they understand and trust in the work that we do for them. We are advocates for the evidence, for the results that the tests generate; we are not for one side or the other."

Kevin Streine, Forensic Scientist Supervisor, Firearm & Toolmark Unit - examining cartridge cases on a comparison microscope.

Myths about forensic laboratories

Contrary to Hollywood portrayals, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety Forensic Laboratory is not a shadowy world of badge-wielding scientists and dramatic experimentation. Instead, it is a bright, disciplined environment where highly trained professionals follow precise, validated protocols to deliver credible, science-based results.

Most laboratory employees do not respond to crime scenes and are not sworn law enforcement officers. Likewise, the laboratory is not dimly lit or secretive. Employees work in modern, open laboratory spaces designed to support collaboration and scientific excellence.

"Also, a lot of people think that we're introverts," said Watson. "I tend to find that most of the people that work in this field are not introverted at all, they are just like everyone else-they enjoy interacting with others.

"One of the things pop culture often gets wrong is the idea that we do a lot of experimentation, that we're going to try a bunch of different things that we've never done before to get an answer. That's not the way it works. We work with very specific protocols and procedures that have been validated and tested hundreds of times before they're ever used on evidence, because testing of evidence must be done in a controlled way. Mad scientists don't exist in our field."

Story by New Mexico Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer John Heil. Photos by DPS Media Relations Unit - Curtis Althaus and Payton Santillanes.