• Home
• Divisions
  • Administrative Services
  • Communications
  • Criminal Identification
  • Driver License
  • Fire Marshal
  • Forensic Services
  • Highway Patrol
  • Highway Safety
  • Homeland Security
  • Investigations
  • POST
• Commissioners
• Media
• Contact
• Employees

Forensic Services

• Forensic Services Home
• What We Do
• Computer Forensic
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Courtroom Testimony
• Firearms & Tool Marks
• Forensic Analysis
• Forensic Biology
• Forensic Chemistry
• Impression Evidence
• Training
• Contact Forensic Services

2005 Governor's Medal for Science and Technology Awarded to Forensic Crime Lab Member

The State of Utah has chosen the Governor's Medal for Science and Technology as a symbol of recognition to those individuals who have provided distinguished service to the State of Utah in the fields of science and technology.

Pilar Shortsleeve - Utah Dept. of Public Safety, Forensic Crime Laboratory, Serology Manager

DNA analysis has produced revolutionary change in crime scene and evidence analysis. With this revolution crime laboratories around the world have had to quickly learn highly advanced technologies. Here in Utah, Ms. Shortsleeve was instrumental in adopting and establishing DNA technology in the processing of criminal cases throughout the state. To accomplish this task required several years of training and more time to apply the learned techniques on sample cases. The importance of DNA testing in criminal cases is well known, what is not generally understood is the importance of the quality and reproducibility of the application of these techniques. In addition to the introduction of early DNA techniques to the DPS Forensic Crime Laboratory, Ms. Shortsleeve is also committed to keeping Utah at the cutting - edge of criminal investigation. In this effort, she has attended over 40 workshops, classes, and meetings. An example of Ms. Shortsleeve's work is a case involving a serial rapist who terrorized the northern part of Utah during the mid 1990s. With no eyewitnesses and essentially no physical evidence other than DNA samples; Ms. Shortsleeve's expertise was critical in sentencing the perpetrator to a life - term. There are many examples of the critical role played by the technology that Ms. Shortsleeve introduced to Utah's DPS Forensic Crime Laboratory. Additionally, Ms. Shortsleeve is the glue of the DNA section of the crime laboratory and has the ultimate respect and admiration of her staff and colleagues. In her 15 + years of service to our state Ms. Shortsleeve has shown an impressive dedication to her profession and Utah is a better and safer place for it.