Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 11, 2002
Contact:  Michael Marchand, Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Barry Logan, Washington State Patrol, 206-262-6000

Gov. Locke Opens State’s New Advanced Crime Laboratory

Gov. Gary Locke today announced the opening of the Washington State Patrol’s new technologically advanced crime laboratory in Seattle.

The Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau Headquarters will improve the processing of important forensic evidence in rape and homicide investigations, furthering the state’s ability to solve and prosecute criminal cases

“This new state-of-the-art forensic laboratory is where law enforcement, science and technology come together to help explain and solve crimes,” Locke said. “The timely analysis of physical evidence helps local, state and national law enforcement agencies solve crimes – and keep our communities safe.”

The new 50,000-square-foot facility is one of seven state forensic laboratories. It replaces a much smaller lab in the Seattle Public Safety Building, which is due to be demolished next year.

The Seattle facility is a full-service laboratory handling DNA typing, chemical analyses, trace evidence examination and firearm capabilities. It also houses the new State Toxicology Laboratory, which performs testing in death investigation and impaired driving cases.

“This new crime laboratory will play a key role in our everyday effort to improve the quality of life for our friends, families and children of Washington,” said Washington State Patrol Chief Ronal Serpas. “The additional space allows us to add new technology, handle more cases and provide a quicker turnaround time.”

The state’s crime labs in Tacoma and Marysville played a key role in the recent D.C. sniper case, linking two Washington shootings to weapons accessible to John Allen Muhammad while he lived in Tacoma. The new laboratory will also house the ongoing examination of evidence in the Green River investigation and many other high-profile cases.

The Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau was created in 1999 when the State Patrol Crime Laboratories merged with the Washington State Toxicology Laboratory.

In addition to Seattle, the State Patrol has laboratories in Tacoma, Marysville, Spokane, Tumwater, Kennewick and Kelso.

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