Designing & building a forensic laboratory is a complicated undertaking. To help laboratory directors get through the process, a workshop was held in 1996 to develop guidelines for planning, designing, constructing, & moving crime labs. These guidelines serve as a general tool to which forensic laboratory directors can refer when considering building a new laboratory or refurbishing an existing one. They are designed to safeguard the integrity & objectives of the profession, maximize organizational efficiency, ensure economical expenditure of resources, & provide a safe working environment for employees. Illustrated.