Services/Facilities

FMRL’s forensic laboratory and burn facility offer the necessary space, experienced personnel, tools, and instrumentation for laboratory examinations, bench-scale testing and safe intermediate-scale testing.  

The forensic laboratory includes: stereomicroscopy, a scanning electron microscope, and an optical metallographic microscope – all with digital imaging software programs, and a high resolution, micro-focus CT machine. The metallurgical prep lab has equipment to prepare and process multiple metallurgical mounts and a microhardness tester. The large lab is open and multi-functional with tables, tools, basic chemicals, and an 8-foot laboratory hood. Temperature, pressure, heat flux and mass loss data are readily acquired using one of two National Instruments™ Labview® system. Our FTIR has a diamond anvil cell and heated troughs for the characterization and/or study of organic substances ranging from plastics to textiles. 

Not all tests are performed or data collected in a laboratory. FMRL’s portable tools and equipment include: Nikon portable microscope; hydrogen gas detector (0-100%), 4-Channel combustible gas detector; portable hardness tester; portable 4- and 8-channel data acquisition systems; and, 4K video cameras and thermal imaging video camera.

FMRL specializes in elevated temperature exposure and fire testing. Fire-related standard test equipment include a cone calorimeter, open and closed flash point testers, a FMVSS 302 and fabric flammability cabinets. Our data logging thermesthesiometer measures and records surface temperatures. The burn lab has a cross section of burners and burn tables.