A critical cog in Mississippi’s criminal justice system is the state Crime Lab. If it takes an unduly long time for the lab to complete autopsy reports or process forensic evidence, criminal investigations and prosecutions are held up.
According to a recent article by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, the backlog at the state Crime Lab is not a new problem. The Crime Lab has been on a roller-coaster for most of the past decade. When it has enough staff, it can keep up. When it doesn’t, it can’t.
Currently it can’t.
The state has three medical examiners, two fewer than it had a couple of years ago. One of those three is leaving for a new job at the end of next month. Total staffing, including not just doctors but forensic scientists and support staff, is down by almost 20 percent from what it was just five years ago.
Consequently, the backlog of autopsy reports and samples waiting to be tested has skyrocketed. Just three years ago, there was almost no backlog. Today, there are some 5,600 DNA, gun residue, blood or other forensic samples for which lawmen are waiting on results.
Mississippi spent $30 million a couple of years ago to build and equip a state-of-the art crime lab. Now it needs to spend enough money to keep it adequately staffed.
