With regard to crimes in which no death of a human being has been caused, the Institute of Forensic Sciences, upon petition of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, shall also perform all necessary laboratory investigations that are available, to provide the information they need to help clarify the matter in question. If the circumstances permit it, the Institute’s services in the area of toxicology, analysis of controlled substances; analysis of explosives accelerants, residue, distances of shots, comparison of glass, paint, soil, fibers and metals; forensic serology, criminal photography, identification of firearms, questionable documents and lie detection and forensic investigation services, shall be available.
The Institute shall perform all the scientific services that the Puerto Rico Police Laboratory renders at present, and all the services rendered by the Special Investigation Services’ Technical Services Division, as well as any other forensic science service needed in the future as an adjunct to the investigating process.
History —July 24, 1985, No. 13, p. 689, § 14, retroactive to July 1, 1985.