The Olympian

Forensics Council asked to perform independent investigation of state crime lab

The Olympian | • Published October 16, 2007

Leaders of a statewide legal organization today asked the state’s Forensic Investigations Council to investigate alleged negligence or misconduct by the Washington State Patrol’s crime laboratory system, according to a news release.

In a letter to the Forensics Investigations Council, representatives of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (WACDL) urged it to examine problems stemming from several serious allegations about crime laboratory operations that have come to light:

• That toxicology lab manager Ann Marie Gordon gave assurances that she had tested quality assurance solutions used for breath testing when in fact she had not conducted such testing;

• That record-keeping and data analysis were severely deficient during Gordon’s tenure (Gordon resigned on July 20, 2007, after allegations of misconduct were made public); and

• That ballistics analyst Evan Thompson provided misleading and unfounded testimony in an unknown number of cases.

The Forensic Investigations Council is responsible for looking into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct in forensic work relating to crimes. WACDL leaders requested that the council investigate and issue a public report on the causes of the alleged problems; make recommendations for corrective actions, including changes in crime laboratory protocols; and evaluate the effectiveness and completeness of any internal investigations conducted by the State Patrol.