Video: DNA Crime Lab Aims to Solve LA County Crimes

Tri-city police forces can now solve crimes by collecting DNA from sweat, clothing, hair samples, blood or semen in a new laboratory. 

The Verdugo Regional Crime Laboratory will open in May, serving the Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena police departments. Officials expect to process about 400 to 600 samples of DNA each month in sexual assault, financial, property or burglary crimes.

Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) helped secure the nearly $1.5 million federally funded project for the DNA lab, according to a news release. The forensic labratory technology, will examine fingerprints, computer forensics, DNA and firearms--similar to the DNA scenes on the television show CSI. 

Schiff believes that this DNA crime lab will not only help solve crimes in the tri-city area, but throughout Los Angeles County. 

The facility has advanced technology to process all types of evidence, including fingerprints, DNA samples, clothing, knives, cartridge casings and firearms. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms partnered with NIBIN--National Integrated Ballistic Information Network--a system that analyzes bullets, cartridge casings and guns to match crimes. Using 3D-image technology, ATF can identify if crimes match by the headstamp from a cartridge casing. 

Former Glendale Mayor and current councilmember Laura Friedman told news media members she had something to say to potential criminals. 

"I wanted to send a message to all of the bad guys that if you [commit] a crime here we will catch you," Glendale Councilwoman Laura Friedman said.

Councilmember Dave Weaver noted he was happy for the facility to open. 

"It's going to be marvelous to have all this in the town I grew up in," Weaver said. 

Local leaders attending included: Councilmember Ara Najarian, Glendale Police Chief Ronald De Pompa, Pasadena Police Commander John E. Perez, Burbank Police Department Chief Scott LaChasse and ATF Assistant Special Agents in Charge Karl Anglin and Christopher Schaefer.