Report Shows Issues Within State Crime Labs

A consultant is pointing out multiple issues at Wisconsin’s crime labs. Attorney General Brad Schimel hired Florida International University’s National Forensic Science Technology Center to review operations at the labs – as they continue to struggle with processing delays. 

The center is recommending Schimel move the labs out from under the Justice Department’s Division of Law Enforcement, citing the possibility of questions surrounding the labs’ integrity. Performance metrics are also confusing for staffers, and the DNA units need at least three more analysts each – while the labs aren’t following the proper evidence acceptance standards. 

The report also shows turnover is so high that labs are in a constant state of training, which takes the trainers off of doing actual casework.