A survey of State planners and LEAA regional offices indicated a need for guidelines and background information to assist them in funding requests for forensic science laboratories. Factors commonly used by planners to locate crime laboratories are outlined, such as population, the effect of distance on laboratory use, and police department size. The following elements are identified as important in funding decisions: crime specific patterns, improvement of services to criminal justice agencies, improvement in law enforcement agencies' detection and apprehension capabilities, and crime reduction. The guide also recommends planners study standards developed by the National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice and prior LEAA research grants. Instrumental techniques and applications used in full-service crime laboratories are reviewed, along with cost estimates and the type of laboratory which might employ them. Also discussed are new techniques in blood stain examination and major research needs in criminalistics. The section on organizations active in forensic research covers the Forensic Sciences Foundation, the FBI Laboratory, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Consultants and training sources are also described. An appendix provides a list of forensic science projects conducted by State agencies contacted in 1973, national standards on crime laboratories, a list of NILE funded grants for 1970-72, a selected bibliography of 19 references, and a glossary.