Serological Research Institute

What Serological Research Institute does

Serological Research Institute (SERI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit forensic DNA and serology laboratory founded in 1978 and headquartered in Richmond, California. The organization provides forensic biology, DNA analysis, and serological testing services to law enforcement agencies, district attorneys' offices, public and federal defenders, and private attorneys. It also operates as the sole US distribution source for SERATEC-branded forensic testing products and supplies sold to other forensic laboratories.

SERI's service portfolio spans body fluid screening (blood, semen, saliva, urine, feces, menstrual blood, vomit), DNA quantitation, STR and Y-STR analysis, mitochondrial DNA sequencing, kinship and paternity testing, CODIS uploads, DNA preparation for genetic genealogy, drug and alcohol identification, case review, and expert testimony. Its core technical capabilities include interpreting DNA mixtures with up to four contributors and recovering useful information from low-level or degraded samples that other labs have been unable to resolve. The lab also employs M-Vac DNA collection technology for difficult-to-sample surfaces. The laboratory is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 by ANAB and compliant with FBI Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories, credentials it has maintained since 2015.

SERI generates revenue through two streams: fee-for-service casework (priced by quote with tiered expedited options of 25%-100% surcharges for 20 business days down to 48 hours) and unit-priced forensic products ($55-$300 per SKU). Distribution is direct via phone (510-223-7374), email, and downloadable order forms. SERI has processed more than 14,000 cases across homicides, sexual assaults, missing persons, paternity, and cold case investigations, including high-profile matters such as the OJ Simpson case, the West Memphis Three exoneration, the Kristin Smart murder, and the Maurice Hastings exoneration.

Name

Serological Research Institute

Legal name

Serological Research Institute

Website

https://serological.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Serological Research Institute (SERI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit forensic DNA and serology laboratory in Richmond, California, serving law enforcement, prosecutors, defenders, and forensic laboratories with ANAB-accredited casework and SERATEC-branded rapid testing products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Forensic Laboratory Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Forensic Science & Crime Laboratories (Justice System Support) (BPAIAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Criminal Investigations & Forensics (Detectives, Crime Labs, CSI) (BPAIAGAI), Litigation Support & Expert Witness (Valuation-Related) (BPAHANAG), Molecular & Genetic Testing (PCR/NGS/qPCR) (HLAGADAF)

Keywords

• Forensic DNA testing
• Serological analysis services
• Body fluid identification
• Forensic laboratory supplies
• Expert witness testimony

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Forensic Laboratory Testing Services: Provides a broad spectrum of biological testing services including body fluid screening, DNA quantitation, DNA STR analysis, CODIS uploads, mitochondrial DNA analysis, Y-STR analysis, kinship analysis, forensic paternity testing, DNA prep for genetic genealogy, drug & alcohol sample identification, case review and consultation, and expert testimony. Services are priced with standard and expedited options. Expedited services include 20 business days (25% fee), 10 business days (50% fee), 5 business days (75% fee), and 48 hours (100% double cost).
2. Forensic Products and Supplies: SERI is the sole source provider in the United States for SERATEC branded forensic testing cards including PSA, HemDirect, PMB, Amylase, and PAM Test. Also sells forensic supplies such as Christmas Tree Stain, Acid Phosphatase reagents, Semen standards, Blood stain standards, Saliva stains, and buffer solutions. Products are sold directly to forensic laboratories with prices ranging from $55 to $300 per item.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Serological Research Institute is a forensic DNA laboratory that provides rapid forensic DNA and serology casework services—including body fluid screening, STR analysis, Y-STR analysis, mitochondrial DNA sequencing, CODIS uploads, kinship and paternity testing, DNA prep for genetic genealogy, case review, and expert testimony—to law enforcement agencies, district attorneys' offices, public and federal defenders, and private attorneys. The lab also sells SERATEC® branded rapid forensic testing products (PSA, HemDirect, PMB, α-Amylase, PAM Test) and forensic reagents/supplies directly to other forensic laboratories as the sole U.S. source provider.

Product overview

Serological Research Institute (SERI) is a private forensics laboratory providing a broad spectrum of biological testing services and specialized forensic laboratory products. Their product portfolio centers on SERATEC® brand rapid tests for body fluid detection (PAM Test, PSA Semiquant, HemDirect, PMB, and α-Amylase), complemented by reagent products (Christmas Tree Stain, Acid Phosphatase, Semen/Blood/Saliva Standards, Amylase Diffusion Buffer, SDS solutions) used in forensic evidence analysis. They also offer laboratory casework services including forensic DNA and serology testing, kinship/paternity analysis, genetic genealogy preparation, case consultation, and expert testimony. SERI is the sole source provider in the United States for SERATEC® products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Forensic DNA & Serology Casework Services
• Kinship Analysis
• Forensic Paternity Testing
• DNA Prep for Genetic Genealogy
• Case Review and Consultation
• Expert Testimony
• SERATEC® PAM Test (R615PAM)
• SERATEC® PSA Semiquant (R564PSA)
• SERATEC® HemDirect (R530HEM)
• SERATEC® PMB (R531PMB)
• SERATEC® α-Amylase (R612AMY)

Quantifiable outcome

• 14,000+ cases processed since 1978
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• CODIS LaboratorycoreTechnology or IntegrationSERI partners with a CODIS laboratory to evaluate and upload qualifying DNA samples into the FBI's national Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Profiles uploaded are searched against criminal databases and unsolved case databases. CODIS administrators notify clients directly when matches are found.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• DNA Diagnostics Center: Accredited DNA testing laboratory offering forensic paternity, relationship, and immigration testing. Comparable in kinship/paternity and forensic DNA services, with overlapping AABB-accredited workflows.
• Independent Forensics (IFI): Manufacturer and supplier of forensic serology test kits (including body fluid identification products) sold to forensic laboratories. Closest direct peer on the SERATEC product side, competing in monoclonal-antibody forensic test kits.
• Sorenson Forensics (Gene by Gene): Forensic DNA laboratory offering STR analysis, paternity, and genetic genealogy services for law enforcement. Comparable in service menu and in serving the same investigative genetic genealogy workflow.
• NMS Labs: Major US forensic and clinical reference laboratory offering comprehensive toxicology, DNA, and serology testing with court-qualified expert testimony. Comparable in service breadth, accreditation, and expert witness model.
• Orchid Cellmark (LabCorp): Forensic DNA identity testing laboratory (now part of LabCorp) offering paternity, relationship, and forensic casework services. Comparable in DNA casework scope, CODIS-compatible workflows, and law enforcement client base.
• Bode Technology (Cellmark): One of the largest US forensic DNA testing laboratories, providing STR analysis, mitochondrial DNA, Y-STR, and CODIS uploads to law enforcement. Directly comparable to SERI in service menu, customer base, and accreditation profile.
• Henry C. Lee Forensic Science Center: Forensic consulting and DNA/serology testing operation anchored by a high-profile founder with deep court testimony experience. Comparable in expert-witness model and forensic casework services for law enforcement and defense.
• Verogen (Qiagen): Forensic genomics company (acquired by Qiagen) providing sequencing-based forensic workflows and the ForenSeq kit used in investigative genetic genealogy. Comparable in next-generation forensic DNA technology and law enforcement focus.

Emerging players

• Parabon NanoLabs: Provider of forensic genetic genealogy, phenotypic DNA analysis, and DNA phenotyping services to law enforcement. Comparable as an emerging player in advanced forensic DNA interpretation, with overlapping cold-case and IGG services.

Regional players

• Identigene (Sorenson Genomics): DNA paternity and relationship testing laboratory with consumer and legal-channel services. Comparable in paternity and kinship DNA workflows, with broader direct-to-consumer reach than SERI.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/serological-research-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Serological Research Institute