Washington Lab to Assist in DUI Cases
A new lab in Washington will aim to assist in mitigating processing time for DUI cases.
Prior to the lab opening, reports were sent to a Seattle toxicology lab.
The Chronicle reported that the average turnaround time for DUI medical tests a decade ago was between 60 and 90 days according to Chris Loftis a Washington State Patrol spokesperson.
The $4.5 million lab is intended to support additional staff and equipment by analyzing blood tests and toxicology reports as well as tests for death investigations ranging from homicides to overdoses.
Located inside an office complex, the lab aims to be fully operational and staffed within the next few months.
"The quick turnaround of toxicology results has the potential to make our roads safer because defendants will have quicker consequences for their actions," said Amy Freedheim, head of the Felony Traffic Unit in the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office in The Chronicle.
