EDNEYVILLE, N.C. — A new crime lab is now open in the western part of North Carolina which officials expect to speed up processing for hundreds of backlogged rape and drug cases.
The Western Regional Crime Lab, located in Edneyville, has been officially open for nine weeks but it’s not yet fully operational because some machines are still undergoing special testing, according to a report by WLOS in Asheville. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility was Monday.
Officials said the lab will help law enforcement officers process DNA and drug tests faster, as well as evidence related to cases of people driving while impaired and rape kits.
Authorities told WLOS that turnaround times for DNA results should drastically improve because testing will no longer have to be done in the Raleigh lab.
In May, Channel 9 reported that 9,000 assault cases were backlogged in North Carolina and that number was once as high as 53,000.
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The state lab director said the goal of the facility is to have tests turned around for police in less than 90 days.
“It will be a huge resource for law enforcement,” Waynesville police chief Bill Hollingsed told WLOS. “But more than that, it will be a huge resource for the victims of crime in our community, and we're excited about that."
Officials said the lab is expected to be fully staffed by the beginning of 2018, and will cover several counties in the area, including Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland and Watauga.
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