Evidence

Forensic or Missing Persons cases may be submitted to CHI using the mailing address listed below. Agencies can also drop off or pick up evidence on site by scheduling a time through the Evidence Specialists. All samples must be submitted with appropriate CHI submission paperwork, available on the Missing Persons Unit and Forensic Unit pages.

Please be advised that Center for Human Identification (CHI) offices and labs will be closed on the following dates in observance of upcoming holiday breaks:

December 20, 2024 (early closure at noon) through January 1, 2025

As such, our last day to receive packages before the break will be December 11, 2024. Please do not mail or deliver any evidence and/or samples after December 11, 2024. Be advised that no evidence or samples will be able to be picked up and/or returned during this time period as well. We will resume normal business hours and acceptance of samples on January 2, 2025. For any pick-up or delivery of evidence or samples in person, please contact our office to schedule an appointment. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at 1.800.763.3147

Evidence Submission

Center for Human Identification
ATTN: Evidence Specialist
CBH, 6th Floor
3400 Camp Bowie Boulevard
Fort Worth, TX 76107

Evidence Acceptance

The following provides a basic outline for case and sample types accepted by the laboratory for biological screening and/or DNA analysis. The Evidence Specialists will review submissions to determine if the evidence submitted falls within the acceptance criteria. Please contact the Evidence Specialists if you have questions regarding acceptability, submissions, or collections.

Missing Persons Sample Submissions

Acceptable Samples

  • Medically-obtained blood cards, whole blood, or a tissue specimen that was collected from the missing person (Preferred)
  • A toothbrush used only by the missing person (Preferred)
  • Oral appliance (e.g., retainer, dentures, etc.) worn by the missing person
  • Hair of the missing person (Least Preferred)

 

Not Acceptable Samples

  • Eyeglasses
  • Caps/hats
  • Stained clothing
  • Make-up
  • Any biological stain of unknown origin, including cuttings or swabs from these items
  • Forensic unknowns, etc., are not considered acceptable for testing as direct reference samples for missing persons cases

Acceptable Samples

  • Buccal swabs (Preferred)
  • Blood card or whole blood

 

Preferred Order for Submission

  1. Mother, father, and/or child of the missing person (Most Useful)
  2. Full sibling of the missing person (Useful)
  3. Half-sibling, Aunt/Uncle, Niece/Nephew, Grandparents of the missing person (Least Useful)

Acceptable Samples

  • Skeletal Remains (listed in order of preference)
    • Long bones (e.g., femur, tibia, humerus), metacarpals, and metatarsals (Most Preferred)
    • Mandibles, teeth, shorter bones (e.g., ulna, radius, clavicle)
    • Vertebrae, ribs, pelvis
    • Skull (Least Preferred)
  • Blood cards or whole blood
  • Tissue
  • Hair that has been forcibly removed from the unidentified body

 

Not Acceptable

  • Paraffin-embedded tissue samples. These samples are accepted only if one or more first-order family references are available for direct comparison.
  • Embalmed remains
  • Burned remains. These samples are accepted on a case-by-case basis depending on the extent of the thermal damage
  • Samples unknown to originate from an unidentified person or decedent

Types of cases accepted for testing

  • Buccal swab
  • Blood card or whole blood

Forensic Casework Sample Submissions

  • Possible blood stains
  • Possible semen stains
  • Sexual assault kits

  • Biological stains or tissue of unknown origin
  • Sexual assault kits
  • Fetal material/products of conception
  • Epidermal contact samples (accepted on a limited basis)
  • Probative hair samples

  • Buccal swabs or collectors
  • Liquid blood or blood cards
  • Tissue, bone, teeth, or pulled hair for a deceased individual where a blood card is not available or not of suitable quality
  • Alternate knowns, such as a cigarette butt or beverage container (accepted on a limited basis)

  • Homicide
  • Sexual Assault
  • Sexual Assault – Criminal Paternity
  • Aggravated Assault
  • Robbery
  • Property Crimes

Contact Us or Send Evidence to Us

Location 

  • Center for Human Identification | Attention: Evidence Specialist 
  • CBH, 6th Floor | 3400 Camp Bowie Boulevard | Fort Worth, TX 76107
  • Toll-Free: 1-800-763-3147 | Toll-Free Fax: 1-800-221-3515 | Local Number: 817-735-0606 | Fax: 817-735-0553

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