Illinois State Police Recognizes the Hidden Crime Fighting Heroes During Forensic Science Week
September 24, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2026
SPRINGFIELD – As Governor JB Pritzker proclaims September 20-26, 2026 as Forensic Science Week in Illinois, the Illinois State Police (ISP) is honoring the dedicated professionals who collect, examine, and interpret evidence needed to solve crimes and bring justice to communities.
“During Forensic Science Week, we recognize the scientists and staff whose dedication to training, research, and innovation helps strengthen forensic science,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “These hidden heroes are rarely seen, but their efforts are a vital part of a criminal investigation. Without them, we simply wouldn’t be able to solve as many crimes and bring justice to the people of Illinois.”
Faced with unrealistic expectations regarding the speed of testing and analysis portrayed on TV and in movies, forensic science professionals work diligently to identify and aid in the prosecution of the guilty and exoneration of the innocent by delivering accurate, complete, and timely crime scene evidence collection and forensic laboratory analysis.
The ISP Division of Forensic Services includes seven laboratories across the state providing crime evidence analysis in biology (forensic biology screening and DNA analysis), firearms/toolmarks, latent fingerprints, seized drugs, trace chemistry, and toxicology. ISP also maintains a Training and Applications laboratory, which is comprised of the Statewide Training and Research and Development Programs. Additionally, the ISP Division of Forensic Services includes Crime Scene Investigators, Traffic Crash Reconstruction Officers, and the Statewide Evidence Vault where more than 45,000 pieces of evidence are securely kept.
ISP forensic science professionals constantly expand their technical skills by exploring new methods of analysis and through continuous training. Since 2019, ISP has utilized a variety of strategies to reduce turnaround times for testing, including ramping up the use of forensic technologies and robotics, and hiring additional forensic scientists who work collaboratively instead of analyzing data independently. ISP provides forensic services at no cost to law enforcement agencies across Illinois.
For more information about ISP Forensic Services or to learn about forensic scientist career opportunities, visit https://isp.illinois.gov/Forensics/FSCEmployment. The Proclamation can be found on the ISP website HERE and below.
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