State forensics lab doesn’t deserve budget cuts

Editorial
Published: May 15, 2008

The Alabama Department of Forensic Science studies an estimated 50,000 cases, including 3,500 autopsies, per year. Their expedient work is necessary in helping solve crimes and providing necessary information for justice.

That said, it’s disappointing to note this very important state department stands to face more challenges in the year ahead — less funding. How deep the upcoming cuts will slice remains unknown, but it is feared the agency will lose 18 percent of its annual state funding, which was $14 million from the General Fund for 2008. A loss of 18 percent means a $2.4 million hit.

“There’ll be things we won’t be able to do,” said director Michael Sparks. “An 18 percent hit for me is huge.”

Historically, when the economy turns bad, crime increases out of desperation. That’s a daunting reality for an agency that is greatly depended upon for solving crime.

“It plays a critical role in the investigative process,” Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said. “It would be very difficult … to do our job in the law enforcement community without Forensic Science. … The bottom line is their business is finding the truth through physical evidence, and they are a critical component of the criminal justice system.”

The agency, which has 11 laboratories statewide, including one in Auburn, already has a tremendous backlog of cases to investigate, and it’s already underfunded as it is. Currently, there is a six-month turnaround for DNA analysis and six to nine-month turnaround for autopsies. That’s far too long to make justice wait.

We recognize the state’s financial situation. But tough times call for tough decisions. There are other places that leaders in Montgomery could cut each year. It appears the more an agency faces cuts, the less priority it has with the state.

We believe justice, along with education, should always carry the highest priority, and this agency can help provide it. Otherwise, justice for the victims, the guilty and the innocent is put on hold.