THE CRIME LAB MINUTE

February 25, 2008

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Announcements

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There are no announcements this week. We hope everyone had a safe and productive trip to Washington, DC for the 60th Annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Forensic Science in the News

Texas

Problems persisted at reformed crime lab

DNA division called 'out of control' before it closed for a second time.

Maine

Regional crime lab would help towns crack cases

If all goes according to plan, the Portland Police Department lab will be transformed into a new, regional crime lab that will also serve seven surrounding towns.

Texas

Commissioners consider giving DPS land for new crime lab

Nueces County commissioners could give the Department of Public Safety land to build its new $10 million crime lab in exchange for the promise of a shorter turnaround on case results.

Minnesota

Anoka County seeking $6 million for regional crime lab

The House Public Safety Finance Committee is expected this week to make bonding recommendations on two crime labs vying for state funding.

Mississippi

Did 'Bite Mark' Expert Fabricate Evidence?

Forensic dentist Dr. Michael West has been accused of fabricating evidence in order to convict two men.

Mississippi

Crime lab, ME: Investment price of death penalty

If Mississippi wants to continue to impose the death penalty, it must fully staff and equip a modern Crime Lab.

District of Columbia

Nation's Capital Plays Host to 4000 'Real-Life CSIs'

Nearly 4,000 attendees have come to Washington to present findings and participate in discussions on some of today's most significant forensic science issues.

Washington

State crime-lab chief to resign

The embattled director of the State Patrol crime labs has resigned, accepting responsibility for allegations of sloppy work and fraud that jeopardized more than 100 DUI breath-test results in the past year.

Tennessee

Metro chief wants own DNA lab

Chief Ronal Serpas wants to stop sending his department's DNA analyses to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's crime lab and get the capabilities to analyze them in-house.

Oklahoma

AT&T awards UCO $1 million grant for new lab

The AT&T Foundation awarded the University of Central Oklahoma a $1 million grant to include the AT&T Digital Evidence and Cyber Security Lab as part of the UCO Forensic Science Institute.

Oregon

Video-Conferencing Equipment Helping Forensic Scientists in Court ...

The Oregon State Police Forensic Services Division is finding that video technology is helping keep forensic scientists on the road less and in the labs more performing critical scientific analysis.