MISSION
To assist the Criminal Justice Community by providing ethical and professional expert court testimony.
POLICY
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Forensic Science Services provides expert court testimony to the Criminal Justice Community as requested. Subpoenas are not required for scheduling court appearances however; it is advisable to serve them in the event that conflicts occur.
The laboratory does not charge for testimony related to work done at the BCA with the exception of those cases where employees are subpoenaed by the petitioner in an implied consent proceeding. In these cases, fees shall be assessed at $20 per day plus 28 cents per mile round trip to and from court, up to a maximum of $100. These fees must be received in advance (Pursuant to Minnesota Statues 357.22 and 634.15).
PROCEDURE
Subpoenas or requests for court appearances can be received by mail, fax or delivered in person and are forwarded to laboratory staff or their supervisor in the employee’s absence. Employees served with subpoenas contact requesting agencies, confirm date and times of appearances, and place requests onto their court calendars. Subpoenas issued first are given precedence.
Conflicts with court appearances are discussed with requesting attorneys to determine if cases can be rescheduled. Management will be notified if scheduling conflicts cannot be resolved.
As trial dates approach, scientists set up pretrial conferences with requesting agencies and submit copies of curriculum vitae for review. In the event that cases settle and testimony is no longer required, please contact the BCA laboratory at:
- St. Paul Laboratory: (651) 793-2900
- Bemidji Laboratory: (218) 755-6600
WITNESS EVALUATION FORMS
As part of our quality assurance program, the BCA Laboratory monitors testimony of all staff on an annual basis. Agencies are encouraged to submit monitoring forms to assist our laboratory in providing effective expert testimony.
