The Idaho State Police Forensics Services (ISPFS) had its beginning in 1963 when the Division of Laboratories in the Department of Health established an analytical unit for the analysis of blood and breath alcohol for the Idaho State Police. In 1968, the state legislature funded a drug identification laboratory. Administratively, the lab was in the Board of Pharmacy, but was physically housed in the State Health Lab. The Health Lab also provided toxicology services.
These services coalesced into one unit called the Forensic Section after Robert Dews was hired in 1972. Mr. Dews had experience in other areas of forensic analysis. Under his leadership, the Boise laboratory at the Health Lab on Old Penitentiary Road expanded into other forensic disciplines such as trace, serology, and firearms. Testing of breath alcohol samples and blood alcohol was performed in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Twin Falls. However, by approximately 1982, the Forensic Section only had operations in the three locations that currently provide service today: Boise/Meridian, Coeur d’Alene, and Pocatello. All three laboratories initially provided breath and blood analysis for the concentration of alcohol.
The Forensic Section was transferred to the Department of Law Enforcement from the Bureau of Laboratories in the Department of Health and Welfare on July 1, 1988.
The Boise area laboratory moved from its location on Old Penitentiary Road to the Idaho State Police campus in Meridian when the complex was completed in 1994. The Meridian facility has been remodeled several times to accommodate more disciplines and more analysts. In 2020, ISPFS added an office modular work trailer adjacent to the back of the laboratory to house the DNA section offices. The Meridian laboratory began offering DNA examinations for DQA1 and the polymarker loci in April 1998. In 1996, a law was passed which authorized the creation of a database for the retention of DNA profiles of offenders convicted of specific crimes such as rape, homicide, etc. ISP Forensic Services began collecting those samples in 2000. ISPFS began performing Short Tandem Repeat (STR) DNA analysis in 2002 and began uploading to the National DNA Index System (NDIS) of the COmbined DNA Index System (CODIS).
Prior to 1974 in Coeur d’Alene, Ron Donnelly worked as a blood alcohol analyst, and Connie Donnelly worked as a Microbiologist at the Coeur d’Alene Laboratory. In 1974, the Donnelly’s transferred to Meridian, and Mike Broadwater and Robert J. Martin moved to Coeur d’Alene. Sandee Nielson also joined the CDA lab that same year, to serve as an evidence tech, and as the administrative assistant and secretary to Mike Broadwater, who was the Lab Manager and Supervisor at the time. With this movement, the lab began to offer drug analysis to law enforcement agencies in the northern part of the state, as well as alcohol examinations. Also in 1974, the lab moved from its downtown location to its 2195 Ironwood Court location. This location hosted the Idaho Division of Environment, the Panhandle Health Department, mental health services, a bacti lab, and with an addition to the back of the building, the Coeur d’Alene Laboratory. Prior to 1986, Robert J. Martin replaced Mike Broadwater as the Lab Manager and Supervisor. The laboratory moved an additional time in February of 1995, to a location at 1000 Hubbard as part of the Department of Law Enforcement. This location was leased from the City of Coeur d’Alene. In 2009, the lab made its latest move to the new ISP District 1 Linda Huff Combined Facility on Wilbur Road.
By 1974, the Pocatello laboratory was staffed with two analysts who provided examinations in controlled substances, blood alcohol and breath alcohol. In 1989, the laboratory moved to a much larger facility at 209 E. Lewis as part of the Department of Law Enforcement. This building was originally constructed as Pocatello City Hall. The Pocatello laboratory moved to the newly constructed ISP District 5 combined facility at 5255 S. 5th Avenue in 2017.
The name of the Department changed to Idaho State Police on July 1, 1999, and the Bureau of Forensic Services became ISP Forensic Services. In addition, the Identification Section of the Bureau of Criminal Identification was transferred to Forensic Services. The unit provides latent print examinations and supports the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) that became the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) that is now the Multimodal Biometric Identification System (MBIS). Starting in 2015, ISPFS developed the first sexual assault kit policy working group in the state. The group became the Idaho Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (ISAKI) in 2017. It was renamed to ISSART (Idaho State Sexual Assault Response Team) in 2024.
All three laboratories that are a part of ISP Forensic Services sought and obtained accreditation with the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) in 1987. ISP was provided with certificates 40, 41, and 42 for the laboratories, indicating that the labs were the 40th, 41st, and 42nd forensic labs in the country accredited under this program. The laboratories maintained that accreditation until 2007. The laboratory system was accredited under the ISO 17025:2005 standards with ASCLD/LAB in 2007, and after a brief transition to the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) when they merged with ASCLD/LAB, ISPFS was accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) starting in 2017. ISPFS updated to the ISO 17025:2017 standards with A2LA in 2020 and maintain that accreditation currently. In 2021, the laboratory became one of the first laboratory systems in the country to gain breath testing instrument calibration accreditation under ISO 17025.
In a continuing quest to meet national quality standards, many of the technical staff members have been certified by the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC), American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT), International Association for Identification as Certified Latent Print Examiners (CPLE), or by the International Association for Identification as Certified Crime Scene Investigators (CCSI). Forensic Services has members of The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD), and members of The Association of Forensic Quality Assurance Managers (AFQAM). Forensic Services staff are members of many professional organizations including, The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), The Northwest Association of Forensic Scientists (NWAFS), The Association of Forensic DNA Analysts and Administrators (AFDAA), The California Association of Criminalists (CAC), The Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists Association (CLIC), The International Association for Identification (IAI), The Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), The Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE), and The Pacific Northwest Division of the International Association for Identification (PNWD-IAI).
In 2015, ISPFS became the sixth lab in the country to implement STRMix for DNA mixtures. In 2016, ISPFS completed significant validations in almost every laboratory discipline including the addition of the Draeger 9510 instrument for breath testing. Toxicology methods were completely revamped to include a multi-drug screen, marijuana screening and confirmation. HB528 passed in the Idaho Legislature requiring ISPFS to perform an audit of sexual assault kits and implement kit tracking. The first statewide sexual assault kit adult was completed by ISPFS in 2016.
In 2017, Idaho became the first state to fully implement a statewide sexual assault kit tracking system (IKTS), and ISPFS released the first sexual assault kit report for the legislature. ISPFS also had a 107% increase in DNA submissions. Newly passed legislation required all sex offenders to submit a DNA sample into the DNA database. Previously only those with a felony conviction were required to submit a sample. ISPFS obtained a second AFIS/ABIS terminal, and no longer had to share with the BCI unit in Meridian. Evidence was added as an official discipline, and an Evidence Technical Manager was appointed for the first time.
In 2018, ISPFS applied for, and received several federal grants that are still maintained by the department today. ISPFS improved the method for screening sexual assault evidence collection kits, and implemented male DNA screening method for sexual assault kits (Y-STR). ISPFS implemented the annual “Rick Groff Visionary Leadership in Forensic Science Award” given during the first annual celebration of National Forensic Science Week (NFSW). ISPF was awarded a federal STOP grant, and deployed hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment to sexual assault evidence collection sites across Idaho.
In 2019, ISPFS added their first Idaho Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/SART Coordinator who started teaching SANE classes throughout the state. HB116 was passed by the Idaho legislature, requiring all sexual assault kits be tested, and a 55-year retention of most sexual assault kits. Several ISFPS managers and staff assisted the Puerto Rico Forensic Science Center in recovery from significant hurricane damage. ISPFS published the first statewide official guidelines for addressing sexual assault in a multidisciplinary approach. The toxicology section implemented more sensitive and robust technology. ISPFS aided in the accreditation of the Nampa and Boise Police Department Crime Labs. The breath alcohol unit began tracking all breath testing instruments statewide, along with calibration certificates. The firearms unit began completing NIBIN (National Integrate Ballistics Identification Network) entries using the Washington State Patrol Lab in Cheney, Washington.
In 2020, ISPFS maintained its offering of a full spectrum of services, even while navigating COVID restrictions and guidelines. The SANE/SART coordinator became a state-funded position (previously funded under STOP federal funds). The Idaho Cold Case and Advanced Methods (ICCADM) team is established to help investigate cold cases and implement the most advanced DNA and other forensic methodologies to cold cases. ISPFS began to offer HEMP/THC analysis with the HPLC-DAD instrument in all three labs. The lab system was awarded the prestigious “Foresight Maximus” award from the West Virginia University John Chambers College of Business and Economics. FS3 discipline leaders and FS3 supervisors are first implemented in the DNA section of ISPFS. The DNA section purchased the first Applied Biosystems 3500 Capillary Electrophoresis Instruments for the lab. The Meridian lab foyer was remodeled to add a vestibule for added security at the evidence receiving area.
In 2021, ISPFS secured a Bureau of Justice Assistance grant to fund genetic genealogy testing and the searching of unsolved Idaho sexual assaults and unsolved sexual assault homicides. Idaho was the first state in the country to take this statewide approach to this technology. The federal grant allowed ISPFS to offer these services to local, county, and state agencies at no cost to local agencies. ISPFS added Breath Alcohol Instrument Calibration as an accredited discipline. ISPFS began accepting digital evidence submissions for ISP and started the transition of moving the digital unit under the forensic laboratory. ISPFS started to use contract analysts for casework, including remote work positions. State Governor Brad Little, issued a proclamation designating the fourth week in September to be National Forensics Science Week. ISPFS announced that all previously submitted sexual assault kits that had been identified in the state audits, had been processed by the DNA lab.
In 2022, ISPFS began accepting forensic document examination cases at the Coeur d’Alene lab. These services included handwriting analysis, printing process examination, indented document examination, altered documents, physical match examination, non-destructive ink, and paper testing, and charred and liquid soaked document examination. ISPFS presented several live and archived national webinars on addressing sexual assault issues including laboratory kit processing, nurse training, and culture change. ISPFS acquired a NIBIN terminal for Meridian under laboratory control but installed it in the Idaho POST facility to allow 24/7 entry for ISP, Ada County, Boise City, Canyon County, and Nampa City agencies. ISPFS provided the necessary training for the NIBIN data entry. ISPFS obtained a LIZQ system for crime scene processing and began to offer this service to law enforcement agencies. This technology provided high-resolution image captures, and offered new features, like spherical captures, and can preserve a crime scene in its entirety in a digital format. ISPFS also added its first dedicated crime scene vehicle to its fleet. ISPFS finished validation of the Foster and Freeman “Recover” instrument and began an emphasis program to publish all internal validation studies on the external website and publish as many as possible in scientific journals.
In 2023, Fentanyl quickly became one of the most prominent drugs in Idaho and started to become prevalent in solid-dose drug, and toxicology cases. Governor Little issued the “Esto Perpetua” initiative to address the opioid crisis in Idaho. ISPFS was funded to start the development of a new laboratory in the Magic Valley area. ISPFS in conjunction with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, validated testing, and instrumentation for a newly started pilot project with coroners in Idaho. The program is able to perform a rapid toxicology screening on suspected drug overdose deaths. All anonymized data is loaded into the Idaho OD-Map program for Idaho citizens education, and for public servants to better target treatment, interdiction, and prevention efforts. ISPFS was awarded the “Foresight Maximus” award for the second time. ISPFS completed their third year of participation as an early adopter of the NIST Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) standards registry implementation program. ISPFS also officially announced that it would either comply, or was in the process of complying, with all applicable forensic science standards posted on the national registry. ISPFS staff have perpetually participated on the OSAC since the inception in 2014. ISPFS continued to expand its participation with NIST in the advancement of forensic science in the United States and specifically in Idaho. Quantitative Methamphetamine analysis began to be offered in Meridian. The “Forensic Science Forum”, a monthly educational webinar program was started to brief state law enforcement agencies on available disciplines, techniques, and all new things the laboratory system has to offer. ISPFS organized the first annual Sexual Assault Awareness Month for Idaho including, Governor Little presenting a signed proclamation at the ceremony in Boise. ISPFS worked with Idaho POST to put training videos for law enforcement online about responding to sexual assault and understanding the neurobiology of trauma. ISPFS hosted trainings for law enforcement all over Idaho. ISPFS started to aid Canyon County Crime Lab to help them obtain accreditation. The first Field Services Training Manual was published by ISPFS. ISPFS purchased one of the first 3-D imaging technology instrumentation for firearms analysis. ISPFS neared 200 forensic nurses trained in Idaho by the SANE/SART Coordinator positions, and the second SANE/SART coordinator was added by the Idaho legislature. ISPFS presented the first “Forensic Science Educator of the Year” during the sixth Idaho celebration of National Forensic Science Week. ISPFS was awarded a third BJA SAKI grant to work cold case homicides and other violent crimes with advanced DNA methods such as Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy. The lab System launched a new cold case website that showcased the accomplished solves by the team.
In 2024, ISPFS scientists were awarded the ASCLD Forensic Research Committee “Outstanding Evaluation/Validation Award” for the validation of the screening of suspected overdose samples with the Randox MultiSTAT analyzer. This is a nationally recognized award for the best validation of the year in the forensic science enterprise. Matthew Gamette, ISPFS Laboratory System Director, received the Briggs White Award for Excellence in Forensic Science Management. This award is given to one current or former American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) member each year. The individual must be nominated by a fellow ASCLD member. Successful nominees must demonstrate exceptional competence and achievement in public administration, leadership in the development of programs, creativity, and resourcefulness, enlightened public service, integrity, and dedication to duty. In addition, the nominee must have a record of contributions to forensic science. In August of 2024, ISPFS celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Idaho State Sexual Response Team (previously ISAKI, now ISSART). ISPFS founded and continues to lead the ISSART team. New Idaho laws, evidence tracking, policies and procedures, grants, personnel, and other initiatives from ISSART have fundamentally changed forensic science in Idaho.
Novel and emerging drugs have also been a major driving force to move ISPFS into the future. Bath salts, synthetic cannabinoids, Hemp/THC, synthetic opioids, and many other substances have forced rapid innovation by the laboratory system. New instrumentation and methods in toxicology, drug chemistry, and alcohol analysis have dramatically shaped the laboratory system very quickly to address the needs of the criminal justice system in Idaho.
In 2023 and 2024, ISPFS celebrates the ten-year anniversary of our website remodel and the launch of social media platforms. One focus of the laboratory is public transparency and openness. ISPFS has been recognized as one of the most transparent laboratory systems in the country with information from analytical methods to analyst CVs on the website.
Every year ISPFS publishes Impact Reports containing lab statistics for the year and providing the public with information on the value of our work and the impact it had on the criminal justice system in Idaho. All the cases highlighted in those reports demonstrate that ISPFS has played a critical role by performing forensic analysis used in criminal proceedings. Some analysis performed by ISPFS led to individuals being convicted. Other forensic findings helped prove innocence or have led to exonerations.
The laboratory began with one part-time employee in 1963 and grew to 39 full or part time employees by 2013. In 2021, ISPFS grew to 55 employees. At the end of 2024, the laboratory has 80 full-time employees or contract employees. Besides being a full-service forensic laboratory system, ISPFS provides training to state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and hospital personnel. ISPFS continually adjusts to the changes in the criminal justice system and always strives to keep up with the most recent technological advances that can benefit and improve analytical capabilities to better serve the needs of the citizens of Idaho. ISPFS has rapidly evolved into one of the world’s premier forensic laboratory systems due to the amazing scientists and staff that have dedicated their careers to this important work.