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  3. Laboratories and Scientific Services

Laboratories and Scientific Services

CBP labs process a wide variety of items under very exact conditions

Laboratories and Scientific Services (LSS) is the scientific, technical, and forensic arm of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). 

LSS operates seven field laboratories, numerous forward-operating laboratories, the INTERDICT Science Center for innovation in drug enforcement, the Interdiction Technology Branch for engineering and rapid technological evaluations, and the 24/7 Teleforensic Center for Radiological and Narcotics Reachback.

LSS is one of the largest and most diverse government labs in the world.  Operating out of eight state-of-the-art facilities strategically located across the U.S. and Puerto Rico as well as a nationally recognized Teleforensic Center.  LSS’s scientists use chemistry, nuclear physics, palynology, and engineering to support law enforcement and intelligence to protect the Nation. 

Working side-by-side with CBP frontline officers and agents examining suspect substances, analyzing fingerprints left at an illegal smuggling scene, or linking pollen and spores to a country of origin.  Supporting CBP trade enforcement mission through the technical analysis of a variety of commodities for classification, evaluation, country of origin, and other trade enforcement purposes; conducting analysis of suspected controlled substances to include narcotics and synthetic drugs for law enforcement action; conducting digital forensic exploitation and analysis on a wide variety of digital media for counterterrorism and law enforcement activities.

Last Modified: Jun 02, 2022