Nassau crime lab in better hands
A file photo of the Nassau County police crime lab in Mineola. Credit: NCPD
The Nassau Crime Laboratory is in a potentially disastrous situation. Last month it was placed on probation for the second time in three years, with the task of fixing 25 major shortcomings in how it does business. Current and past cases could be called into question, and a couple of the lab's problems could take more than a year to fix.
But there's evidence to suggest the offenses might end, thanks to the lab's new overseer, Pasquale Buffolino. Buffolino accepted the task of running the police lab in addition to the position he already held, director of the Department of Forensic Genetics laboratory, part of the Nassau Medical Examiner's office.
Buffolino's assessment of the lab and the actions needed has been unflinching and apolitical. He has quickly fixed what could be fixed quickly and is working assiduously to address the longer-term problems.
Most important, he is focused on creating a culture that looks at the operation of the lab continuously, to ensure it is properly equipped, staffed and run, rather than waiting for horrible assessments and probations as the catalysts for improvement.
What happened at the lab is inexcusable, and there may well be real repercussions, including with criminal prosecutions. But Buffolino seems to be turning the facility toward the right course, and there is hope for a better verdict in the future. hN
