A suicide car bomber in central Baghdad killed at least 18 people and injured dozens of others Tuesday. The bomb went off outside a police crime lab.

The office was heavily guarded with security check points and blast walls.

The attack comes just one day after the bombing of a Baghdad hotel that killed 41 people.

The bombings occurred in close proximity to the execution of Saddam Hussein's cousin "Chemical Ali," sparking speculation that the attacks were retaliation by Sunni insurgents.

They are also are fueling doubt in the Iraqi government's ability to provide security in their capital.