DC Department of Forensic Sciences

11/30/2021

DC lab in forefront of science behind tracking COVID variants in DMV

There are thousands of COVID-19 variants. Every day, DFS scientists are tracking which ones are in the District. #dcforensics

The latest concerning COVID-19 variant Omicron has not been detected in the Washington metro area, but a team of scientists at DC Forensic Sciences is ready if cases begin to emerge. If you get COVID in the DMV, your positive test could end up at the Next Generation Sequencing Lab in Southwest Washi...

11/17/2021

DC Public Health Lab discovers dangerous new drug through needle exchange program

Chemists in DC’s Public Health Lab discover a dangerous drug that had previously not been detected in the District. #dcforensics

A new drug has been discovered on the streets of D.C. and is raising some major concerns as experts say it is more potent than fentanyl.

11/15/2021

Chemist discovers new opioid in DC, alerts first responders using Narcan for overdoses | WTOP News

DFS scientists are tracking drugs in the District to alert first responders of new opioids found in used syringes. #dcforensics

A chemist in D.C.’s crime lab has discovered a new opioid being used on the streets of the District.

09/23/2021

Only On 7: Inside DC's bioterrorism lab 20 years after anthrax attacks

A rare look at the Public Health Lab’s Bioterrorism Unit and how scientists prepare to identify and respond to threats. #dcforensics

Twenty years ago this month, letters laced with anthrax were mailed across the country killing five Americans, including two Washington, D. C. postal workers. 7News was given exclusive access to the District’s bioterrorism lab to see how the science has changed over the past two decades in the...

09/20/2021

National Forensic Science Week is an opportunity to recognize the important role forensic scientists play in the criminal justice system. Visit our website to read the DFS FY20 annual report and learn more about how DFS helps to build a safer, stronger DC.

08/30/2021

The DC Public Health Lab is among the laboratories in the District sequencing COVID-19 and sharing data with GISAID to track the evolution of the coronavirus. #dcforensics

06/08/2021

DFS Crime Scene Scientist Laura Harris credits University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs for helping her to achieve her career goals in forensics. #dcforensics

Laura Harris earned her M.S. in Criminal Justice at UBalt and is making her mark with the DC Department of Forensic Sciences.
"My graduate degree from The University of Baltimore provided me with the knowledge of policing and constitutional law that I use every day in order to aid the police in their investigations while ensuring the rights of citizens are not being infringed upon. Additionally, a solid understanding of criminological theory has helped me to understand the ‘why’ behind the crime trends taking place in the District of Columbia. Although I received all of my forensic science training while on the job, the master’s program at UBalt helped me to build a solid foundation of criminal justice knowledge that I built the rest of my career on."
Learn more about Laura and our Criminal Justice masters: ubalt.edu/criminaljustice

06/01/2021

DFS is honored to receive this year’s College Bound, Inc. Hall of Fame Award. The Hall of Fame Award was established to salute individuals, and/or community groups who have demonstrated ongoing support for the mission and services of College Bound.

05/28/2021

Today, DFS Director Dr. Jenifer Smith leaves The People’s Lab after six years. Dr. Smith opened the lab to countless young people inspiring the next generation of scientists. #dcforensics

04/20/2021

Call for volunteers! You can help us get DC residents vaccinated by participating in the DC COVID-19 Community Corps day of action:

🗓️ May 1, 2021
⏰ 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm
✒️ RSVP: http://bit.ly/dayofactiondc

04/16/2021

Every year, DFS employees walk to the MLK Memorial to celebrate #EmancipationDay. #dcforensics

03/30/2021

Tonight DFS Director Dr. Jenifer Smith will receive Mayor Bowser’s Excellence in Service Citation as part of the Washington Women of Excellence 2021 Awards. This recognition would not have been possible without the incredible efforts of all DFS employees. #dcforensics #womenshistorymonth

03/26/2021

Meet three Latina scientists leading the way in Washington’s Covid-19 research

Three Latina scientists in the DFS Public Health Lab are leading the District’s COVID-19 sequencing efforts. #dcforensics #WomenInSTEM

In Washington, three Latina scientists are leading the way in coronavirus research, from detecting the city’s first positive cases to analyzing the new variants.

03/24/2021

Women, Peace and Security Workshop held in Jordan

DFS Crime Scene Scientist and U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Rosemarie Schuster is part of a team helping the Jordanian military improve gender integration. #womenshistorymonth #dcforensics

United States Armed Forces personnel joined members of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), Canadian Armed Forces, and Jordanian Directorate of Military Women’s Affairs for this year’s Women, Peace and Security Workshop, Jan. 13, 2021.

03/19/2021

VOD

DFS Director Dr. Jenifer Smith testifies before the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety for the FY20 Performance Oversight Hearing to detail the agency’s accomplishments.
Video note: DFS begins at 1:06:00.

03/11/2021

There’s a new attraction near the Consolidated Forensic Laboratory. Yesterday, members of the DFS Public Health Lab went to check it out and bumped into the second gentleman. #dcforensics

03/09/2021

66% of DFS employees are women. The Forensic Intelligence Unit and the Central Evidence Unit are entirely made up of women. #womenshistorymonth #dcforensics

03/05/2021

We all have a role to play in protecting our community. Do your part by reporting suspicious behavior and activity to 911. If you see something, say something! #SaferStrongerDC.

03/04/2021

'A lot has changed': All-women DC lab marks one year of COVID-19 testing

The DC Public Health Lab marks one year of COVID-19 testing. #coronavirus #dcforensics

This week marks a solemn anniversary in the pandemic, when DC’s Public Health Laboratory identified the first positive COVID-19 case in the District. The Forensic Sciences Department tests up to 1,750 samples per day for SARS-CoV-2, up from just 25 per day one year ago. Initially, all COVID-19...

03/03/2021

Tres científicas latinas lideran investigación de las variantes del COVID-19

Get to know the Hispanic women in the DFS Public Health Lab performing COVID-19 sequencing. #WomensHistoryMonth #coronavirus

Con la llegada de las nuevas variantes de COVID-19 al área de Washington, un grupo de científicas latinas están haciendo historia con s labor de detectar y analizar estas mutaciones

03/01/2021

DFS Director Dr. Jenifer Smith and DC Health Director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt are making history as leaders in the District’s COVID-19 public health response. #WomensHistoryMonth #dcforensics

02/11/2021

Happy #InternationalWomenInScienceDay! #dcforensics #womeninscience

02/10/2021

DC task force targets carjackings as numbers continue to rise across the District

DFS joins Washington Metropolitan Police Dept. and other District partners to address the spike in carjackings. #dcforensics

D.C. police have formed a new task force targeting carjackings in the District after having experienced a significant increase in the crimes over the last year.

01/25/2021

‎STEMpod on Apple Podcasts

DFS Director Dr. Jenifer Smith talks about her career and takes you inside the Department of Forensic Sciences in the latest STEMpod podcast. #dcforensics

‎Life Sciences · 2021

01/18/2021

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Relationship With Science

Martin Luther King Jr. often used science to make his case for social justice and equality. #MLKDay

Martin Luther King, Jr. is best known as the leader of the 20th century civil rights movement, but the man who led the way to sweeping social and political reforms also had an impact on science.

01/12/2021

DFS scientists share their experiences receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. #coronavirus

01/11/2021

Vaccination Registration | coronavirus

DC residents 65 years old and older can now make an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine through the vaccinate.dc.gov portal or by calling the District’s coronavirus call center at 1-855-363-0333.

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01/07/2021

A small team of DFS crime scene scientists responded last night to assist Washington Metropolitan Police Dept. at the U.S. Capitol. #dcforensics

12/31/2020

The DFS Public Health Lab performed more than 150,000 COVID-19 tests in 2020. #dcforensics #coronavirus

12/30/2020

DFS scientists performing #coronavirus testing at long-term care facilities are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. #dcforensics

12/24/2020

The scientists at DFS wish you safe and happy holidays! #dcforensics

12/23/2020

DFS employees collected toys and coats for the Washington Metropolitan Police Dept.‘s ‘Fill the Cruiser’ campaign. #dcforensics

12/02/2020

DFS held its annual awards ceremony today recognizing all employees who have worked at the lab throughout the #coronavirus pandemic with the Pandemic Response Award. #dcforensics