While the public may automatically connect an NOPD employee with our outstanding officers in blue or white out on the streets, many may not think of the numerous civilian staff that also works hard to ensure the work being done by our department. This includes the hard-working men and women of the NOPD Scientific Criminal Investigations (SCIS) Division, more commonly known as Crime Lab.

When officers respond to a crime, the NOPD’s nationally accredited Crime Lab also responds to collect and process evidence that helps bolster the case as it moves from the crime scene to the courtroom for prosecution. The Crime Lab features numerous sub-units that handle specific aspects of evidentiary inspection including crime scene investigators, ballistics, advanced crime lab, photo lab, narcotics and more.

Located in the UNO Research & Technology Park, the division – which also oversees evidence management – is responsible for the collection, processing, testing, storage, and disposition of all evidence and property received by the NOPD.

“We look for the truth,” said Commander Daryl J. Albert, who oversees the division. “The scientific evidence will speak for itself. Our detectives, investigators and crime lab personnel will do their best on finding the truth, wherever that truth lies."

Qyonta Sonnier, a forensic examiner assigned to the Advanced Crime Lab section, said that she enjoys the work she does, even if many people may not realize what goes into her job.

“When I see a case reported in the media and see them talk about a piece of evidence that played a key role, I can usually say that I’ve processed that evidence, even though it’s not mentioned,” she said. “That makes me feel good that I can help to maybe pull a print or DNA off of something that can be the determining factor in putting a dangerous criminal behind bars and helping victims and families find justice. No one else may know, but I know.”

Sonnier is one of only two current Advance Crime Lab specialists in CSIS, whose job includes processing evidence ranging from handguns to entire automobiles to find any evidence that might have passed the human eye.

“We go beyond the scope of the initial investigation,” she said. “We process items, focusing mainly on latent print examinations. To do this, we have tools at our disposal including special chemicals we mix on site, as well as alternate light sources, dusting and more. We also swab for DNA samples, which our DNA techs at the State Police Crime Lab in New Orleans then process to identify to whom that DNA belongs.”

Sonnier said she and the rest of the unit undergo constant training to maintain the most current standards of investigation.

“Science is an evolving field, and we have to stay ahead of updated methods,” she said. “We attend seminars and conferences to stay up to date on the best practices out there. Commander Albert is good about letting us know about training opportunities. He pushes us to stay as up to date as we can.”

Fulfilling her goal of working in a police crime lab is something Sonnier said she’s proud to have accomplished.

“I love what I do,” said Sonnier, who has been with CSIS for more than four years. “I’ve always wanted to work in a crime lab. I had wanted to work with the FBI’s Crime Lab, and here I get to work with them closely. But working here as long as I have, I feel like this is where I need to be. The work we do here is amazing. You get to see so many different things and assist in finding things that no one else could.”

In a police unit where the majority of employees are civilian, Sonnier said she feels her role and those of other civilian employees is a vital one in the criminal investigative process

“We support the officers out there on the street,” she said. “They’re out there on the front lines, but they can’t do everything by themselves. That’s why we are here. As civilians, we use our expertise in our fields just like they use their expertise in theirs. We can’t get it wrong. It’s very important that we do our best to get it exactly right. It’s a family and it’s a team effort by everyone, because we’re all working toward the same goals.”

If you want to be a part of the NOPD’s Scientific Criminal Investigations (SCIS) Division, you must apply through New Orleans’ Civil Service.