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.