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Crime lab

UK //kraɪm læb// US //kraɪm læb// Pronunciation

Definition

A laboratory that examines physical evidence from crime scenes.

Listen to definition

In simple words: A place where scientists study evidence from crimes.

Examples

• The evidence was sent to the crime lab for analysis.
• Investigators waited for the crime lab results before making any arrests.
• The crime lab uses advanced technology to analyze DNA samples.
• Every piece of evidence is crucial, so the crime lab examines everything carefully.
• The crime lab provided important insights that changed the direction of the investigation.

Usage notes

Use 'crime lab' in contexts related to law enforcement and forensic science. Avoid in casual conversations unrelated to crime.

Grammar pattern

standalone phrase

Memory hint

Think of a 'crime lab' as a laboratory where detectives crack the case.

Collocations

• submit evidence to the crime lab
• analyze samples in the crime lab
• crime lab technician
• crime lab report
• forensic analysis at the crime lab

Synonyms

• forensic lab
• criminalistics lab
• investigation lab
• forensic science center

Common mistakes

• Confused with 'crime scene' which refers to the location where a crime happened.
• Used in singular form when discussing multiple labs.
• Assuming all labs analyze the same types of evidence.