RALEIGH, N.C.—From checking for fingerprints, to testing prop samples, State Crime Lab scientists showed the public the fundamentals of forensic work Thursday during an open house.
"We can show the various forensic disciplines that are within this laboratory, and show what the scientists do in their effort to help in criminal investigations,” said Amanda Thompson, forensic scientist manager.
State Crime Lab Director John Byrd said behind the scenes, scientists have been working through backlog. From July 2014-June 2015, scientists completed through about 42,600 case submissions.
"The Criminal Justice System is desperately asking us to get them turned around to them. We have been working very diligently, I will tell you in the 15 months I've been here, we've reduced the total number of cases by 41 percent in this laboratory, and that's not me, that's directly for the scientists getting in there, getting out of training, getting on the bench and working those cases,” he said.
Scientists are also working hard to reduce what was more than a two-year case turnaround time.
"From March to July, we've dropped the turnaround time to 150 days and that's incredible,” he said.
Byrd also said every district attorney and public defender can rush request certain cases.
"Especially if there's a court case or a court date that's been established, or if we have a public safety emergency,” he said.
With a larger Western Regional Crime Lab facility expected to open in 2017, Byrd hopes the three crime labs across the state will continue working through cases in a timely manner.
Byrd said once the budget is signed into law, the State Crime Lab will receive a 10 percent salary adjustment for scientists, as well as funding for 10 additional positions.
Learn more about the lab, here.