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Equal Employment Opportunity Data Posted Pursuant to the No Fear Act

Laboratory Info

History Fire Research Lab Message Mission Organization Services Staffing What's New

Message from the director of laboratory services

Updated: November 23, 2001

The ATF Laboratories have a distinguished history that dates back to 1886. From two scientists working in the attic of the Treasury building, we have grown to a staff of over 130 professionals working in five laboratories in three cities.

In 2000 the ATF Laboratories:

analyzed 6,991 alcohol and tobacco samples;

processed 8,631 new alcohol product applications;

processed 2,878 forensic cases;

spent 213 days providing expert testimony in the courts;

spent 258 days at crime scenes; and

spent 334 days providing training to Federal, state and local investigators and examiners.

ATF is the premier laboratory in the world in the combined areas of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives, and fire debris analysis. Our dedication to this is evident in the Mission, Vision, and Values statements created by our staff in 1992. The Office of Laboratory Services is also proud of the important part it plays in supporting the Bureau's strategic goals. Then-Vice President Al Gore recognized our efforts through the presentation of three "Hammer Awards" which symbolize excellence in government reinvention. As further recognition of our progress Congress has appropriated $82 million for the construction of a new 200,000 square foot National Laboratory and Fire Investigation Research and Education Center in suburban Maryland. Completion of the Laboratory is expected in December 2002. In 1998 we deployed our first mobile laboratory which was designed to allow examination of evidence at the scene of a fire or explosion. Our second mobile laboratory will be delivered to San Francisco Laboratory in December 2001.

Technical excellence, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement have been the hallmarks of the ATF laboratories since 1886. We will continue to work hard to build upon this success as we enter our third century of public service.

Michael W. Ethridge
Director, Laboratory Services

E-mail: ATFLabs@atf.gov