12.15.2008
Springfield, Mo. – Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt attended Monday the opening of the state's new crime laboratory in Springfield. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and local law enforcement officers will also be on-hand with Congressman Blunt.
The new lab will be the second in Missouri. With two labs, lengthy delays of almost a year for forensic analysis of evidence will be cut to less than 60 days in most cases. The 30,000 square foot Springfield facility will have a staff of almost 30.
"This state-of-the-art facility will serve as both a backup to the lab in Jefferson City and an important law enforcement resource for the region," Congressman Blunt said. "Our officers do an incredible job protecting our communities, and the new lab will allow them to serve our neighborhoods more efficiently by cutting time-consuming evidence backlogs."
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt said, "As governor, I have enacted significant legislation to better protect Missouri families with new anti-crime and public safety initiatives. Through vigorous law enforcement and the passage of tough new criminal laws against meth manufacturers, child predators and drunk drivers, Missouri is a safer place. This new crime lab will make Missouri a safer state by getting criminals off the street faster. And its impact will be felt statewide, as it will relieve pressure on the Jefferson City lab, leading to faster lab results for law enforcement agencies around the entire state.”
During the ceremony, Congressman Blunt thanked Greene County Sheriff Jack Merritt, Prosecutor Darrell Moore, Springfield Chief Lynn Rowe, Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D and administrators of the Jefferson City crime lab for their service to the state and for their help in bringing the forensic lab to Southwest Missouri. Blunt also noted the key role of U.S. Senator Kit Bond in helping secure the initial funding for the lab.
Moore said, “The opening of this second full service Missouri State Highway Patrol lab is a significant improvement in the criminal justice system of the state. The ability to process evidence in a timely manner moves us closer to attaining swift and certain justice. The knowledge that criminals will be held accountable, innocent people cleared of suspicion and victims provided satisfaction through quicker resolution of cases should cause every citizen in this state to have a better sense of security and well being."