Gov. Matt Blunt today signed HB 2023 which provides the remainder of funds needed to secure the building for the new crime lab. Once established, the new crime lab will lighten the load of evidence needing to processed by Missouri State Highway Patrol crime lab and reduce the amount of time it takes get some kinds of evidence analysis from a Jefferson City crime lab. Currently, state highway patrol system receives over 23,000 criminal cases a year. The Springfield lab will increase forensic analysis capacity by 30 percent. Also expected is folding two more crime labs into the Missouri State Highway Patrol crime lab system.
"Today is a great day for law enforcement in southwest Missouri and, more importantly, for the Missourians they serve. Law enforcement's ability to effectively investigate and prosecute crimes depends greatly on the accuracy and speed of forensic services carried out in a lab," Gov. Blunt said. "The safety of Missouri families has been a priority for my administration and this new crime lab will further enhance the safety of Missouri families."
"I am grateful to see Governor Blunt sign the bill that provides the final portion of the funding needed to bring a full service state crime lab to Springfield," Sen. Norma Champion said. "As we all know, this crime lab will make a dramatic impact on law enforcement's ability to thoroughly complete investigations more timely."
"I am extremely pleased to finally secure this funding that will make such a significant improvement to our system of justice. We have needed this facility for years in order to help expedite the investigative process and to provide both victims and the accused with a system free from lengthy delays. Thanks to the support of Governor Blunt we were able to do that this year and I thank him for all of his hard work in securing this funding," Rep. Bob Dixon said.
House Bill 2023 provides over $1.6 million for the lease/purchase of the lab space for the new state crime lab. The crime lab is used by Department of Public Safety and the State Highway Patrol for forensic analysis. Currently, law enforcement officers in the Springfield area have to send DNA, trace evidence, latent fingerprint and firearms analysis requests to Jefferson City, slowing the investigative process.
The new crime lab will reduce the burden on the Missouri State Highway Patrol crime lab system. Currently, the system receives over 23,000 criminal cases a year. The Springfield lab will increase forensic analysis capacity by 30 percent. In addition, the merger of crime labs in Joplin and Cape Girardeau with the Highway Patrol crime lab system will further increase capacity and efficiency.
The safety of Missouri's families is one of Gov. Blunt's highest priorities. Gov. Blunt has been a national leader in protecting children from sexual predators. He enacted Missouri's version of Jessica's Law, an action that mandates a life sentence with at least 30 years served for predators who commit egregious crimes against young children. Additionally, Gov. Blunt made Missouri one of the first states in the nation to mandate lifetime GPS monitoring for sex offenders.
Gov. Blunt instituted the Missouri Alert Network to enhance school safety and supported funding for cyber crime grants to assist law enforcement in investigating dangerous Internet crimes, especially sex crimes exploiting children.
