Frequently Asked Questions - Evidence Packaging & Submittal

Please reference this Ignitable Liquid Packaging guide.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation laboratories will receive evidence for examination either by personal delivery or by mail with the following exception: Handguns, Long Guns (Rifles and/or Shotguns), and most Forensic Biology evidence must be submitted in person. Sexual assault kits and known DNA reference samples can be mailed to the laboratory for analysis.  It is recommended that if evidence is submitted by mail, a tracked method is utilized. Click here to view the Evidence Guidelines memo from March 2022.

Toxicology evidence is typically submitted by mail through a carrier service (United States Postal Service, UPS, or Federal Express).  Evidence may also be received in person from submitting officers.

No. Firearms may not be mailed for submission due to safety concerns. However, the following OSBI laboratory evidence-receiving locations (Edmond, Tahlequah, McAlester, Lawton, Woodward) accept firearms evidence and will transfer such evidence to the Firearms and Toolmarks Unit located in Edmond, OK.

All firearms must be unloaded when submitted – no exceptions.  Firearms should be submitted in a box with all factory seals reinforced with tape and initials.  For firearms evidence not needing Biology and/or Latent Print analysis, the item may be submitted in a sealed plastic bag. Loose ammunition should never be packaged in the same container as a firearm. Include any associated magazine with the firearm. Live/unfired ammunition is generally not necessary to submit.

Please reference “Evidence Packaging and Submittal Tips” and information located under the Evidence Submission tab at Quality System Overview | Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for guidance.

A limited number of evidence types are able to be mailed to the OSBI laboratories for analysis.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation laboratories require the following evidence types to be submitted in person:

• Handguns
• Long Guns (Rifles and/or Shotguns)
• Evidence requiring refrigeration/freezing, and
• Most Forensic Biology evidence

NOTE: Sexual assault kits and known DNA reference samples can be mailed to the laboratory for analysis. 

It is recommended that if evidence is submitted by mail, a tracked method is utilized. Click here to view the Evidence Submittal by Mail memo from February 2024.