The Suffolk County Police Department’s Identification Section Fingerprint Laboratory has earned accreditation from the ANSI National Accreditation Board, a distinction that county officials say reflects the highest standards of forensic science and strengthens the integrity of evidence presented in court.
Legislator Jim Mazzarella praised the achievement, calling it a milestone for the department and the county.
“This prestigious accreditation signifies the pinnacle of scientific, technical, and operational excellence,” Mazzarella said. “By conducting this crucial work in-house, the department not only saves taxpayer dollars but also enhances its effectiveness in identifying criminals and apprehending them swiftly.”
The fingerprint laboratory is part of the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory in Hauppauge, a multi-disciplinary forensic facility that provides services to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the Police Department and other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
In addition to fingerprint analysis, the lab includes sections dedicated to biological sciences, firearms identification, drug chemistry, trace evidence, crime scene investigations, crash reconstruction, quality assurance and evidence control.
Crime lab personnel frequently respond to major crime scenes throughout the county, including homicides and fatal vehicle collisions, where they document, collect and preserve evidence for scientific analysis. Analysts are responsible for conducting testing and providing expert witness testimony in court.
The laboratory also maintains a comprehensive quality assurance program and is monitored annually by the New York State Commission on Forensic Science.
Mazzarella credited Detective Lieutenant Joseph Terry with leading the fingerprint laboratory through the accreditation process.
Terry, a Manorville resident, recently retired after what Mazzarella described as a career of dedicated service that elevated the Identification Section to statewide and national recognition. The legislator wished him a healthy retirement, noting that Suffolk County is safer as a result of his leadership and the work of the crime laboratory staff.