News and Information

2026-03:  August 25, 2026

Discipline/Area: DNA

DNA testing process improvements were recently implemented for Sexual Assault Kits.

Further Information:  FSD Bulletin - Male DNA Screening

2026-02:  August 24, 2026

Discipline/Area – Forensic Science & Criminal Justice Conference 2026

Audience - Attorneys, Judges, and Investigators

FSD is happy to announce that we are now accepting registrations for the upcoming conference.  Registration steps are as follows:

• Attendees must have a MiLogin account to register through MSP’s Professional Development Learning Center (PDLC). Instructions for creating a MiLogin account and requesting PDLC access are available here: MiLogin and PDLC Instructions. 
• After gaining PDLC access, non-MSP users must update their account contact information to enable the search function. Guidance on updating account information, using the PDLC, and accessing support is available under PDLC Help under the Home tab.
• When conference registration opens, search for the “2026 Forensic Science & Criminal Justice Conference” in PDLC. Click the blue buttons "Select a Session", "View Details", and "Click to Pay" and proceed through the Special Code section to the Payment Method. You’ll need accounting or credit card details, or you may choose the invoice option to complete registration.

Additional information:

• A link is present within the PDLC detailing lodging availability at the conference venue.  A state negotiated rate is available for attendees until November 9^th, 2026
• Conference registration will close on November 24th, 2026.  Please register early to ensure attendance.
• The conference is approved by MCOLES to use 302 Grant Funding.
• Day One tentative presentations include a keynote address from DJ Hilson who is the elected Prosecutor for Muskegon County, an overview of the Jeffrey Willis investigation and how forensics contributed to the resolution, Forensic Genetic Genealogy, forensic laboratory accreditation, anthropology in criminal investigations, and drug trends and recent legislative changes.
• Day Two of the conference will feature concurrent sessions led by experts from the MSP Forensic Science Division. These sessions will align with core forensic science disciplines—including Toxicology, Breath Alcohol, Questioned Documents, Trace Materials, Seized Drugs, Body Fluid Identification/DNA, Latent Prints, Firearms, and Crime Scene Response. Each topic will be offered in two‑hour segments repeated throughout the day, allowing participants to select sessions based on their specific interests and educational needs.

2026-01: February 9, 2026

Discipline/Area: All

FSD has updated its policies governing what and how many items of evidence are eligible for submission to the laboratory, as well as further clarified some of its services. 

Further Information: MSP FSD Updates to Submission Guidelines

2025-07: December 17, 2025

Discipline/Area: Breath Alcohol

FSD is informing and providing guidance to the criminal justice community about two areas recently highlighted during ongoing data review. This includes information on test continuation after an “Interferent Detected” exception message and expired operator certification. 

Further Information:  Customer Bulletin - Breath Alcohol Interferent Detected Message and Expired Operator Certification

2025-06: October 10, 2025

Discipline/Area: Forensic Science & Criminal Justice Conference 2025

• If the attendee does not have a MiLogin account, they will have to create one. (Step 1 Instructions).
• From MiLogin, launch the PDLC application (Step 1 Instructions)
• From the PDLC Application, search for “Forensic Science & Criminal Justice Conference”, view sessions and “Request” (Step 2 Instructions)
• Once the request is approved (it may take a day or two), they will log back in and “Register” to complete the registration and “Click to Pay”(Step 2 Instructions)

Step 1 Instructions
Step 2 Instructions

2025-05: August 22, 2025

Discipline/Area: Toxicology

FSD has removed urine drug testing from its testing services in the Toxicology Unit 

Further Information:  FSD Bulletin - Discontinuation of Urine Testing

2025-04: March 26, 2025

Discipline/Area: DNA

Rapid DNA information and revisions to the FBI Quality Assurance Guidelines (effective July 1, 2025) that will expand the applications of Rapid DNA 

Further Information:  Rapid DNA and Upcoming Expanded Applications

2025-03: January 30, 2025

Discipline/Area: Toxicology

FSD has removed gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) from its testing services in the Toxicology Unit 

Further Information:  FSD Bulletin – GHB Removal from Toxicology Scope of Analysis

2025-02: January 30, 2025

Discipline/Area: Toxicology

FSD is providing clarification and guidance when encountering expired blood tubes in Biological Specimen Kits

Further Information:  FSD Bulletin – Expired Blood Tubes in Toxicology Biological Specimen Kits

2025-01: January 30, 2025

Discipline/Area: Toxicology

FSD is informing the criminal justice community of an administrative labeling error on Biological Specimen Kits from lot number 24102BAU

Further Information:  FSD Bulletin – Incorrect Expiration Date on Toxicology Biological Specimen Kits

2023-06: September 17, 2023

Discipline/Area: Breath Alcohol

To coincide with the deployment of the CMI I9000 breath alcohol testing instrument in the Summer and Fall of 2023, police officers across the State are being trained and certified in proper use of the instrument. For efficiency and transparency, the Intoxilyzer 9000 User Manual is available for download. 

Further Information:  Intoxilyzer 9000 User Manual

2023-05: September 8, 2023

Discipline/Area: Crime Scene Response

The Field Officer’s Guide for Evidence Collection and Packaging has been added to the Forensic Science Division internet page.  This will allow easier access to our stakeholders to obtain information on evidence collection and packaging in Biology, Controlled Substances, Firearms and Toolmarks, Latent Prints, Trace Evidence, and Questioned Documents.    

Further Information:  Field Officer's Guide for Evidence Collection and Packaging

2023-04: June 12, 2023

Discipline/Area: Breath Alcohol

The Department of State Police anticipates fielding replacement evidential Breath Alcohol instruments in the very near future.  The selected instrument is the Intoxilyzer I-9000 manufactured by CMI.  Mr. Mark Fondren, Breath Alcohol Technical Leader, recently presented at the MSU School of Law.  Additional opportunities for communication will be forthcoming throughout the transition period.

Further Information:  Breath Alcohol Measurement and the I-9000 

2023-03: January 23, 2023

Discipline/Area: Toxicology

FSD has removed Beverage Alcohol Testing from its accredited testing services in the Toxicology Unit.  As of Monday, February 6, 2023, those submissions will no longer be accepted for testing.

Further Information:  FSD Bulletin - Beverage Alcohol Removal from Scope

2023-02: January 1, 2023

Discipline/Area: Seized Drugs, Toxicology

FSD has determined that laboratory reports issued by the Controlled Substances and Toxicology Units may not always clearly relate the test results to the specific item tested. Changes have been made to the format of these reports to ensure that laboratory reports remain as unambiguous as possible.

Further Information:  Clarification of Reporting for Seized Drugs and Toxicology Reports

2023-01: January 1, 2023

Discipline/Area: All

In an effort to better communicate results to its customers, FSD utilizes a Simplified Reporting format for its final laboratory reports. This means that in most cases, additional information will be made available to customers upon request.

Further Information:  FSD Laboratory and Customer Agreement for Simplified Reporting