Gov. Mark Dayton visited the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's St. Paul lab facility Thursday and praised the work of forensic scientists in solving crimes.

"Your ability to identify criminals ... is one of the phenomenal breakthroughs of science in my lifetime," Dayton told the gathered BCA employees. The governor issued a a proclamation declaring "Forensic Science Week."

Mona Dohman, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, praised the scientists' work: "It has the power to identify the guilty and exonerate the innocent," she said.