Request Assistance

As a federal facility, we require all visitors to:

  • Either show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a recent (in the past 3 days) negative COVID-19 test.
  • Complete a health self-screening questionnaire.
  • Contact the laboratory for additional assistance if unable to complete these requirements.

Any law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in New Mexico may request assistance (at no cost to them) with the following activities—

  • Pre-Seizure Consultation – The NMRCFL can help with search warrant preparation (only as it applies to digital evidence) by advising on related language that may be included in the affidavit.

  • On-Site Seizure and Collection – Requests for this type of assistance should be made a minimum of 48 hours in advance (the more lead time the better) by submitting a completed Field Service Request Form to the NMRCFL. On occasion, an agency will uncover digital evidence that they are unprepared to manage. Under these circumstances, the advance notice requirement is waived. Once the RCFL evaluates the search request, the Operations Manager assigns it to an Examiner for action.

  • Duplication, Storage and Preservation of Electronic Equipment and other Digital Evidence – Examinations are typically conducted on copies of the original evidence. Therefore, RCFL Examiners, can either duplicate (or copy the information) the media on-site, or they will bring the electronic equipment to the laboratory where they will duplicate the media and perform the examination.

  • Prompt, Accurate, and Impartial Examinations of Digitally Stored Media– RCFL Examiners will conduct a thorough and objective examination of an electronic device to locate digital evidence and turn it into something that the investigator can review. It is not the Examiner’s responsibility to analyze the data for its meaning or significance to the investigation. This impartiality and objectivity lends credibility to both their findings and subsequent court testimony.

  • Courtroom Testimony - As records are recovered from seized electronic equipment, the prosecutor is likely to direct the Examiner to introduce the digital evidence into court. As an expert witness, the Examiner explains under oath, how they conducted the forensics examination and what they discovered as a result.

Requesting Services

The NMRCFL will provide services to any law enforcement agency in New Mexico. Participating agencies receive priority.

The NMRCFL will not accept specimens which contain Hazardous Materials (e.g. biohazards such as blood or body fluids). Specimens must be cleaned and disinfected prior to submission to the Laboratory. Please contact the NMRCFL Director for guidance.

Please limit your service request and evidence submission to no more than five evidence items at a time. If you need to submit more than five evidence items with your request, please contact the laboratory first to coordinate.

NMRCFL_Svc_Req@rcfl.gov

Forms

Participating Agency Requests

  • No pre-approval needed.
  • Bring the following items with you to the NMRCFL:
    • Request for Service Form (can be completed at the NMRCFL)
    • Copy of legal authority (consent, search warrant, etc.) No originals please.
    • The digital media you want to have examined
  • For cells phone and loose media:
    • All Participating Agencies are requested to use the Self-Service Kiosks before making a request to the NMRCFL for a full laboratory examination of a cell phone or loose media.
    • Requests for exemption are reviewed by the Laboratory Director or her designee.
    • For assistance using the Self Service Kiosks, ask for the NMRCFL Duty Examiner.

Non-Participating Agency Requests

  • Pre-approval is needed before bringing items to the NMRCFL.
  • Complete the following and send to fax 505.241.5152, care of Service Requests:
  • The NMRCFL Laboratory Director or her designee will evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis. We will either a call or email you with approval or disapproval decisions. PLEASE do not submit evidence or legal authority until you receive a reply.
  • For cells phone and loose media:
    • All Non-Participating Agencies must use the Self Service Kiosk before making a request to the NMRCFL for a laboratory examination of a cell phone or loose media.
    • Requests for exemption are reviewed by the Laboratory Director or her designee.
    • For assistance using the Self Service Kiosks, ask for the NMRCFL Duty Examiner.