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A recurring problem with DNA contamination and errors at the State Patrol crime labs uncovered during an investigation by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer has national experts troubled.
Oversight of crime-lab staff has often been lax
A close look at the Washington State Patrol crime lab reveals a stressed system where officials have been slow to deal with misconduct by longtime employees.
- Crime labs too beholden to prosecutors, critics say
(July 23, 2004)
Lab mistakes taint DNA evidence
The miracle technology of DNA analysis has an Achilles' heel: human error. State Patrol forensic scientists contaminated tests or made other mistakes while handling DNA evidence in at least 23 cases involving major crimes over the last three years, records obtained by the P-I show.
- DNA testing mistakes at the State Patrol crime labs
- Produce lab error rates, some urge
- How DNA is tested in crime labs (PDF; 165K)
(July 22, 2004)
A year ago, the State Patrol conducted an internal audit of Arnold Melnikoff, a forensic scientist accused of improperly testing the evidence in some cases. The audit examined 100 felony drug cases, and troubling flaws were found in 30. Seventeen of those cases resulted in convictions for crimes ranging from simple possession to making meth. But none of the 22 defendants in those cases was notified about the flaws, a P-I investigation found. (published March 13, 2004) |
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Followup stories
Questions in crime lab scientist's past
A forensic scientist whose testimony helped wrongfully convict two young men of murder in Oregon has been working for the Washington State Patrol crime lab since the case unraveled nine years ago. (Published Dec. 27, 2004)
Ordeal in flawed drug case is over
Kyann Cardwell, who was serving a six-year prison term for methamphetamine manufacturing, is the first person to have a drug conviction vacated as a result of flawed forensic analysis by a former state crime lab chemist. (Published Sept. 30, 2004)
Lawyers, lamakers call for review of state crime labs
A recurring problem with DNA contamination and errors at the Washington State Patrol crime labs has prompted a call for a legislative review and sparked a debate about whether a law enforcement agency should be running the labs. (Published Sept. 14, 2004)
State Patrol fires crime lab scientist
Washington State Patrol officials fired beleaguered crime lab forensic scientist Arnold Melnikoff yesterday, saying his flawed hair-analysis testimony in a Montana rape trial while on the agency's payroll violated professional standards. (Published March 24, 2004)
Counties to be told of crime lab flaws
Washington State Patrol officials will notify prosecutors in seven counties that drug evidence handled by one of their employees -- a crime lab forensic scientist facing termination -- has been called into question. (Published March 17, 2004)
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