Opinion: We must address forensic crime lab needs
A contract between the City of Memphis and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has already been signed to provide two additional analysts at TBI who will analyze only Memphis Police Department evidence. One of those is designated for ballistic forensics and the other for DNA analysis related to firearms. Shelby County currently does not have such an agreement. (Mike Groll/AP file)
James McCutcheon
Dr. James McCutcheon is an associate professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Memphis. He also serves as the Senior Research Developer with the University of Memphis Public Safety Institute, specializing in forensic feasibility studies, crime analysis, and crime prevention through environmental design.
“Failure to act will increase backlogs, slow investigations, and create questions regarding the reliability of forensic evidence in the courtroom. That is why a taskforce should be developed including key stakeholders and experts in forensics to build local capacity.”
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