Another Problem With A California Crime Lab

A former crime lab forensic criminalist who worked at California’s Central Valley Crime Lab in Ripon was accused of and plead guilty to stealing drugs from the crime lab.

The crime lab does analysis for five counties which are San Joaquin, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Merced and Stanislaus. The criminalist was apparently stealing drugs at the same time he was testifying for the prosecution in cases involving drug analysis. Thousands of cases, including cases in which the criminalist either testified in court or did analysis on drugs were jeopardized.

Crime labs need to be above reproach.

This is especially true in DUI / Drunk Driving cases where state/county criminalists analyze alcohol and drugs and are often called to testify on behalf of the prosecution.