Evaluation of Digital Evidence Processing Efficiencies in Publicly Funded Crime Laboratories, United States, 2020-2023 (ICPSR 38998)
Version Date: Dec 16, 2025 View help for published
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Crystal Daye, RTI International;
Nichole Bynum, RTI International
https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR38998.v1
Version V1
Summary View help for Summary
This study investigated the use and value of digital evidence (DE) to create an evidence base for more efficient and effective DE management and processing. Researchers aimed to assess existing laboratory protocols and better understand the scientific rationale underpinning existing laboratory processes with the ultimate goal of assisting law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories in eliminating backlogs, optimizing available resources, and decreasing justice delays. The data deposited with ICPSR include the Crime Laboratories Survey Data, which describe the processes used by crime laboratories to manage and analyze DE, and the Law Enforcement Agencies Survey Data, which includes information on methods and processes for DE seizure, management, and analysis, and data about coordination between law enforcement agencies and associated crime laboratories.
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Access to these data is restricted. Users interested in obtaining these data must complete a Restricted Data Use Agreement, specify the reason for the request, and obtain IRB approval or notice of exemption for their research.
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Data Collection Notes View help for Data Collection Notes
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This study includes 12 qualitative data files containing interview transcripts which were not included in this data release. Please refer to the ICPSR README file for additional information.
Study Purpose View help for Study Purpose
Researchers aimed to assist law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories in improving digital evidence processing and management by answering the following research questions:
- What protocols, practices, and technologies do crime laboratories and LE agencies have regarding the processing of DE?
- Which established practices result in the highest percentages of successful outcomes?
- What are the most prevalent and impactful gaps affecting case outcomes?
Study Design View help for Study Design
This study proceeded in two phases, one quantitative and one qualitative. The quantitative data included in this release includes two datasets: Crime Laboratories Survey Data and Law Enforcement Agencies Survey Data. Both quantitative datasets were collected using online surveys distributed via emailed link to individuals representing a crime laboratory or law enforcement agency. Each survey took around 15-20 minutes to complete and was open for a period of approximately 4 months, with the Crime Laboratories Survey open late February through late June 2022, and the Law Enforcement Agencies Survey open from late October 2022 through early March 2023. Researchers conducted outreach to potential respondents throughout each period, and the Law Enforcement Agencies Survey was condensed into a shorter, 10-minute long "critical items survey" which launched in January 2023 to increase response rates.
In the qualitative phase, three law enforcement agencies were paired with three crime laboratories for semi-structured qualitative interviews aimed at understanding the relationship between the two organizations. Interviews were conducted via Zoom from May to August 2023, and were later transcribed and coded for analysis. The qualitative data collected through these interviews was not included in this ICPSR release, but will be made available at a later date. Please refer to the ICPSR README file for additional information.
Sample View help for Sample
The Crime Laboratories Survey Data were collected using a sample of crime laboratories informed by data from the 2014 Bureau of Justice Statistics' Census for Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories. This sample was further limited to include only local and state-based laboratories with a specific department dedicated to computer/cybercrime, resulting in a final sample frame of 80 laboratories.
The Law Enforcement Agencies Survey Data was collected using a sample frame of 71 law enforcement agencies identified by crime laboratories in the Crime Laboratories Survey.
Time Method View help for Time Method
Universe View help for Universe
Law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories in the United States.
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Description of Variables View help for Description of Variables
The Crime Laboratories Survey Data include demographic variables about the jurisdiction served by each laboratory as well as information about laboratory budget, types of analysis preformed, quantity of tests performed, and the policies and methods used to analyze and manage digital evidence. The Law Enforcement Agencies Survey Data include similar demographic variables as well as variables describing agency budget, whether digital evidence training was provided to officers, the number of cases involving digital evidence, relationships with crime laboratories, types of digital evidence analyzed, turnaround times for evidence analysis, and the policies and systems used to seize, analyze, and manage digital evidence.
Response Rates View help for Response Rates
Crime Laboratories Survey: A total of 32 crime laboratories completed the full survey while 3 crime laboratories partially completed the survey for a 40% response rate.
Law Enforcement Agency Survey: A total of 16 LE agencies completed the full survey while 8 law enforcement agencies completed the critical items survey for a 34% response rate.
HideOriginal Release Date View help for Original Release Date
2025-12-16
Version History View help for Version History
2025-12-16 ICPSR data undergo a confidentiality review and are altered when necessary to limit the risk of disclosure. ICPSR also routinely creates ready-to-go data files along with setups in the major statistical software formats as well as standard codebooks to accompany the data. In addition to these procedures, ICPSR performed the following processing steps for this data collection:
- Checked for undocumented or out-of-range codes.
Notes
The public-use data files in this collection are available for access by the general public. Access does not require affiliation with an ICPSR member institution.
One or more files in this data collection have special restrictions. Restricted data files are not available for direct download from the website; click on the Restricted Data button to learn more.