Justice Through Scientific Excellence

A Note from NOPD Crime Laboratory Director, Dr. Shamika Kelley:

Welcome to the New Orleans Police Department Crime Laboratory, where science meets justice. Our state-of-the-art crime laboratory is dedicated to supporting the criminal justice system through cutting-edge forensic analysis.

We specialize in uncovering scientific facts by analyzing evidence with precision, accuracy, and integrity. Our highly skilled team of scientists and technicians use advanced techniques and technologies to provide reliable results that help solve crimes and bring clarity to investigations.

The work we do is dynamic and impactful. Every day, we:

• Process crime scenes with meticulous evidence collection, photography, and forensic documentation.
• Conduct comprehensive ballistic evidence examination, including firearm identification and toolmark examination, to connect weapons to crimes and incidents.
• Perform friction ridge processing and analysis, using advanced methods to identify and compare fingerprints and palm prints, linking individuals to crime scenes with unparalleled accuracy.
• Provide actionable insights through cutting-edge drug and chemical testing.
• Assist law enforcement agencies and criminal courts with expert testimony, training, and consultation.

At the NOPD Crime Laboratory, we’re proud to be on the forefront of forensic science, making a difference in the pursuit of justice. Our work is exciting, challenging, and critical to the safety and fairness of our community.