The Hennepin County Forensics Science Lab is crucial in helping investigators solve crimes.

"We do prioritize violent crimes first," said Hanna Sczepanski, a DNA Analyst.

When evidence is collected at a Hennepin County crime scene, it ends up in a laboratory in downtown Minneapolis, where in just a few minutes, analysts can identify blood on a t-shirt.

"I'll give it a swab and I will put it onto here and if it's it will turn green," said Sczepanski.

It's a type of science called serology. And with homicide and sexual assault investigations ongoing, there's always a backlog. But DNA analysts work quickly, protecting evidence by wearing masks, gloves, and lab coats.

WCCO

"A blacklight has one wavelength and we have multiple wavelengths we can look at," said Shelly Thomack, a DNA Analys

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