Nassau crime lab problems, then and now
NYS Commission on Forensic Science defense attorney Mavin Schechter speaks to commission about the recent decision by a national forensic lab accreditation board to put the Nassau police lab on probation. (Dec. 7, 2010) Credit: Craig Ruttle
A national accreditation agency put the lab on probation twice. Among the issues it cited and, in the 2006 case, how it solved them:
2006
* Appropriate controls not in place for identification of human blood.
Response: The lab temporarily stopped providing such analysis.
* Lab failed to conduct and document an annual review of its quality system.
Response: Lab conducted the review for 2005 in June 2006.
* Chemicals used in drug identification not checked for reliability.
Response: Lab established expiration dates and a bar code system to check age of chemicals.
* Two lab balances not checked yearly against an outside calibration system.
Response: Instruments later calibrated.
* Conclusions of racial origin of human hair inconsistent with lab work notes.
Response: Lab temporarily discontinued examinations of hair.
2010
* Failure to comply with procedures on maintaining equipment and instruments.
* Failure to properly document procedures for record storage.
* Failure to properly provide the board with a report of the department's internal yearly review.
* At least five submissions of fingerprints not packaged or under any seal.
* Evidence storage and evidence room found unsecured.
* Technical reviews on blood-alcohol results conducted by a supervisor without proof of training to do so.
* High humidity and leaking ceiling caused water damage to a lab machine.
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Newsday Live: Jennie Garth talks about career, health and happiness Newsday Live and Long Island LitFest present an evening with "Beverly Hills 90210" actress, podcaster and author Jennie Garth. Newsday's Elisa DiStefano hosts an in-depth discussion about Jennie's life, career, successful clothing line for QVC and new book, "I Choose Me," an inspirational memoir about health, healing and happiness.
