Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: AG Raoul’s new report “reveals names and detailed information of 451 Catholic clerics and religious brothers who abused at least 1,997 children”
Next Post: Anti-abortion activist to be brought before federal judge over allegedly attempting to destroy building that will be used as a Danville abortion clinic
Posted in:
* The state’s turnaround times are still too long, but at least the trend is finally moving in the right direction…
Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly today announced ISP has received final accreditation for the new ISP Decatur Forensic Science Laboratory and it is now officially open for business. The new four-story facility located along U.S. Route 51 on the south side of Decatur houses12,200-square feet of laboratory space and will serve law enforcement agencies across the state.
“This top-tier facility will increase capacity to significantly reduce turnaround time for DNA testing, produce rapid results, and further reduce the case backlog,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Since day one, my administration has been committed to delivering justice for every Illinoisan, and this new Decatur lab will ensure we can accomplish that.”
The new lab will focus on high-throughput DNA testing, which comprises about 20% of all ISP forensic cases in the laboratory system. Forensic scientists at the laboratory will examine evidence collected from crime scenes and analyze biological material to identify DNA profiles from suspects.
“The Decatur facility is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology and will be staffed with highly trained individuals who are critical to providing DNA analysis for the citizens of Illinois,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The new lab will further reduce backlogs and allow us to solve crimes faster and bring justice to all involved.”
The new high-throughput DNA laboratory utilizes robotics, which will increase ISP’s testing capacity. These robots can process case samples with minimal hands on from the forensic scientist. The technology will be crucial in providing a short turn around for cases such as property crimes, homicides, and criminal sexual assaults requiring DNA analysis.
The Decatur facility houses ISP’s seventh forensic laboratory, as well as Crime Scene Services. The new facility brings new jobs to the area and has space for approximately 27 employees, including 12 forensic scientists, five evidence technicians, five administrative staff, and five crime scene investigators. Approximately $5.4 million was awarded for staffing and equipment at the new laboratory for the first year.
The ISP forensic science laboratory system has been recognized as one of the largest crime laboratory systems in the world providing forensic science analytical services to more than 1,200 state, county, and local criminal justice agencies. The ISP laboratory system, currently comprised of seven operational laboratories and a training and application laboratory, processes evidence from criminal cases in seven disciplines: drug chemistry, trace chemistry, toxicology, biology/DNA, latent prints, firearms/toolmarks, and footwear/tire tracks.
The average turn-around-time for a DNA case to be completed is 3.6 months. At the end of March 2023, 37% of the assignments for DNA analyses were completed in 60 days or less. Backlogs in testing for trace chemistry, drug chemistry, latent prints, firearms, toxicology, and footwear have all decreased by approximately 37% since 2021.
In June 2022, ISP announced that after decades of extensive sexual assault forensic backlogs, the number of pending sexual assault forensic assignments older than 180 days reached zero. This was the first time since the General Assembly passed the Illinois Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act in 2010 that the State of Illinois was in compliance with the statute.
It’s just ridiculous how the state let the rape kit problem so horribly deteriorate. I mean, it was so bad they had to pass a law, and it still took a dozen years to reach what is really a not optimal result of 6 months.
Anyway, click here for some videos of the new lab.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 23, 23 @ 11:27 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: AG Raoul’s new report “reveals names and detailed information of 451 Catholic clerics and religious brothers who abused at least 1,997 children”
Next Post: Anti-abortion activist to be brought before federal judge over allegedly attempting to destroy building that will be used as a Danville abortion clinic
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
I’m not surprised, you have no idea some of the shenanigans in department.
Comment by Jilted Tuesday, May 23, 23 @ 11:58 am
Thank you to the Howard Buffett Foundation for supporting this project. Central Illinois is very luck for his support over the years
Comment by Illdoc Tuesday, May 23, 23 @ 12:10 pm
Why is that building so big? You should really look at the construction photos of the inside ask why there is a palatial apartment inside of it. Who is living within the forensic building? https://www.romanocompany.com/projects/completed-commercial-projects/gallery/law-enforcement-center/
Comment by I Love Decatur Tuesday, May 23, 23 @ 12:29 pm
Passing a law is only the beginning. Buildings, staff and operations need to be funded. I sounds like that part is done. Now, operational funding and maintenance will need new funds every year. Congratulations on getting it done, bouquets of Skunk Cabbage for taking so long.
Comment by froganon Tuesday, May 23, 23 @ 1:37 pm
The ISP did find time to rename all of the former districts into “Troops” after 100 years of tradition at who knows what cost to the taxpayers. The current ISP is extremely top heavy with command staff and minimally staffed on patrol.
Comment by Retired ISP 11 Tuesday, May 23, 23 @ 1:55 pm
===a palatial apartment===
I checked with the governor’s office instead of relying on Internet rumors…
“The building was donated to ISP for the lab and it’s connected to an apartment and other office space that doesn’t belong to us”
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 23, 23 @ 2:00 pm
——internet rumor——
Just seemed strange to have an apartment in a building like that. If my tax dollars are paying for the security of the building I should have a right to know who has a residence or office in it. I would think you would want a forensic evidence lab to be one of the most secure locations in the state.
Comment by I Love Decatur Tuesday, May 23, 23 @ 3:43 pm
- I Love Decatur -
This ain’t “Mission Impossible”, but I would be weary if the ISP wants any of your tin foil you use for a hat. Stay strong.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 23, 23 @ 3:49 pm
==I should have a right to know who has a residence or office in it==
No, you shouldn’t.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, May 23, 23 @ 4:43 pm
Illdoc: Personally, I am wary of any private citizen who uses his wealth to hold sway over a town and its citizens under the guise of gifts. See, the lack of any weed dispensaries indicator.
Comment by Cheswick Tuesday, May 23, 23 @ 6:04 pm