El Paso Police Crime Lab Off Probation

The routine to process controlled substances and convict criminals suspected of carrying drugs is back on track.

In late July, the El Paso Police Department’s crime lab was put on probation by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board. That is when the EPPD was in the process of transitioning from what has called a “Legacy” certification to an “International” certification. According to police, they requested an inspection to upgrade their certification, but it was determined they were operating with several deficiencies.

As a result of the probation, more than 100 cases from a six month span were reviewed by an outside agency. During that time, marijuana could still be processed by the crime lab, but controlled substances like heroin or cocaine were handled by an independent lab.

Police spokesman Mike Baranyay said the lifting of the probation this week was big. He said it potentially frees up time for investigations, and money spent on outside lab fees.

“Like DPS, the Department of Public Safety has a lab here in El Paso and they do testing, however, we get in line there,” said Baranyay. “When we have our own lab, we obviously control our cases, and if we have a case with priority, we can do that without going to another agency.”

While the crime lab is off probation, it has not yet been cleared for “International” certification. Members of the police force said they hope to have the new certification by April 2012, just in time for when the old certification expires during the early part of the month.