It is also an excellent way to uniquely identify the evidence from the outer packaging. When shipping evidence, address the package to the attention of the Forensic Arson Lab. This insures that the person who opens the box will be someone intended to be in the chain of custody and that the evidence will be stored in the vault immediately once the courier's responsibility has ended. Courier services will no longer deliver to post office boxes, even if a phone number is provided. The Forensic Arson Laboratory services are provided at no cost to the fire service and other law enforcement agencies in the State of Texas.
Turnaround time is usually six days.
The laboratory is limited at this time to the analysis of arson debris for ignitable liquids used to accelerate a fire and to the microscopic examination of items for the purpose of jigsaw matching. The ATF offices and laboratory phone numbers are all listed in the Arson Lab Evidence Collection and Submission Handbook. The Handbook contains information to assist with evidence questions that may arise.