NCJ Number
46017
Date Published
1978
Length
132 pages
Annotation
A PROJECT ESTABLISHING FIVE SATELLITE CRIME LABORATORIES TO RELIEVE CASELOADS AND IMPROVE SERVICE AT THE FIVE ALABAMA REGIONAL LABORATORIES IS EVALUATED.
Abstract
IN 1970 THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT PLANNING AGENCY ESTABLISHED THE CRIME LABORATORIES DELIVERY SYSTEM PROGRAM TO HELP THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TOXICOLOGY AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION MEET INCREASING CRIME LABORATORY NEEDS. AT THAT TIME, THE DEPARTMENT WAS OPERATING REGIONAL LABORATORIES IN AUBURN, BIRMINGHAM, HUNTSVILLE, MOBILE, AND MONTGOMERY. GRANTS TOTALING $3,509,760 FROM THE PERIOD OF 1971 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1978 HAVE ENABLED THE DEPARTMENT TO OPEN SATELLITE LABORATORIES AT ENTERPRISE. JACKSONVILLE, SELMA, FLORENCE, AND TUSCALOOSA. THE PROGRAM IS EVALUATED BY EXAMINING CASELOAD AND CRIME STATISTICS, CASE TURNAROUND TIME, AND OPINIONS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, AND CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES. THE EXPANSION WAS PLANNED BECAUSE ALABAMA'S CRIME INDEX INCREASED FROM 1576.0 IN 1969 TO 3803.3 IN 1976 AND THE EXISTING LABORATORY CASELOADS WERE INCREASING RAPIDLY. AFTER THE SATELLITE LABORATORIES WERE STARTED, CASELOADS EITHER STABILIZED OR DECLINED TO 1972 LEVELS. IN ADDITION, EXAMINATION OF RECORDS AT THE SATELLITES INDICATED THAT THE SMALLER, MORE LOCAL LABORATORIES WERE MEETING CRIME NEEDS WHICH OTHERWISE MIGHT HAVE GONE UNATTENDED. THE EVIDENCE COLLECTION OFFICERS RATED THE SERVICES GOOD OR VERY GOOD IN 91 PERCENT OF THE CASES. THE TRAINING PROGRAMS CONDUCTED BY THE LABORATORIES WERE RATED GOOD OR VERY GOOD BY 87 PERCENT OF THE OFFICERS. ALTHOUGH TURNAROUND TIME HAS DECREASED FROM 21 DAYS IN 1973 TO 10 DAYS IN 1976, THE OBJECTIVE OF 7-DAY TURNAROUND HAS NOT YET BEEN REACHED. THE THREE CATEGORIES SHOWING THE MOST IMPROVEMENT -- DRUG IDENTIFICATIONS, PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, AND DEATH INVESTIGATIONS -- SHOW THAT THE SATELLITE LABORATORIES ARE PROVIDING GREAT RELIEF TO THE REGIONAL LABORATORIES. IN EACH OF THESE CASES, TURNAROUND WAS REDUCED BY MORE THAN A WEEK. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THIS TURNAROUND INCLUDE THE USE OF BETTER INSTRUMENTATION AND VIDEOTAPED DISPOSITIONS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF TIME LABORATORY PERSONNEL MUST SPEND IN COURT. DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES SAID THAT THE PREPARATION OF TOXICOLOGY AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION PERSONNEL FOR TESTIMONY WAS GOOD, 52 PERCENT SAID THEY USED SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE IN 21-40 PERCENT OF CASES, AND 65 PERCENT SAID THEY WOULD LIKE TO USE IT IN MORE. A FULL 97 PERCENT SAID JURORS FIND SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE MORE CREDIBLE THAN OTHER FORMS. DISTRICT ATTORNEYS GENERALLY DID NOT FAVOR VIDEOTAPED EVIDENCE WHILE 54 PERCENT OF JUDGES APPROVED ITS USE. STATISTICS ON CASES HANDLED ARE GIVEN FOR EACH OF THE REGIONAL AND SATELLITE LABORATORIES. (GLR)