NEW CRIME LAB WOULD BENEFIT COUNTY, STATE

The need for a new state crime lab in the state is certainly justified, but
with the current budget problems, it may be some time before one is
established. Local officials have been calling for a crime lab in Bowling
Green because of its location relative to Interstate 65 and the Bowling
Green-Warren County Regional Airport.

The new jobs a crime lab would bring, as well as more efficient lab work,
would certainly be welcome, especially for area judges who have complained
that slow results are causing a backlog in their court cases. There are
currently six crime labs in the state.

Capt. Tom Porter, commander of the Central Forensics Lab in Frankfort, said
that there are some "significant backlogs in drug analysis due to the large
amounts of drugs that have been submitted for testing."

The current turnaround for drug testing is several months, which can
conflict with a defendant's right to a speedy trial since a person charged
with a crime has the right to go before a grand jury within 60 days.

This is reason enough for a new crime lab to be built in Bowling Green.

But there is one problem that could delay a lab from being built: Where is
the money going to come from?

Elected officials, such as Rep. Roger Thomas, D-Smiths Grove, welcome the
idea, but voice concerns.

"Obviously, anything that deals with finances and monies is difficult now
because of the budget situation and the revenue shortfall that we have," he
said, "but I think the need we have justifies the General Assembly coming
up with a way to try and fund this."

Thomas is correct, but perhaps if the budget shortfall does improve in the
future then a crime lab in Bowling Green could become a reality.

Western Kentucky University has also offered a possible solution to the idea.

They would allow the lab to be installed in the school's new Center for
Research and Development Center in exchange for a reasonable lease
agreement. They would also provide manpower to assist lab personnel.

This could provide students a learning experience as well.

Western should be commended for its efforts to possibly make this idea a
reality.

A new crime lab in Bowling Green would benefit the community, but more
importantly, it would allow the courts to get results back in a timely
manner so that defendants' rights, as well as public safety, can be served.

We only hope that the General Assembly can fund this needed facility as
soon as our state's financial situation allows.