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State Crime Laboratory - Reports, Forms and Legislation

Legislation and Legislative Reports

Forensic Sciences Act - Signed into law by Governor Beverly Perdue on March 31, 2011. Sections 1-5 and 7-11 became effective when the act became law. Section 6 (Ombudsman position) becomes effective on July 1, 2011.

  • Session Law 2011-307 - Section 9 of this law extends the time for local forensic science labs (other than the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory) to become accredited to October 1, 2012.
  • Session Law 2012-168 - Section 6 of this law extends the time for local forensic science labs (other than the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory) to become accredited from October 1, 2012 to July 1, 2013. Section 6.1 clarifies which State Crime Laboratory employees are required to become certified.
  • Session Law 2013-338 - extends the time for local forensic science labs (other than the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory) to become accredited from July 1, 2013 to July 1, 2016.

Reports

Ombudsman's Report - Report submitted by Judge Vince Rozier during his time as Ombudsman to the SBI. The document includes a memo by Judge Joseph John responding to the recommendations of the Ombudsman. The report was released by the SBI in Aug. 2011.

The Swecker Report - Chris Swecker and Michael Wolf were retained by the NC Attorney General's Office to conduct an independent review of the Forensic Biology Section of the SBI Crime Laboratory. The investigation began in March 2010 and focuses on policies, procedures and practices between 1987 and 2003.

  • Case Information - The News and Observer created a database of the cases identified by the Swecker Report. The online database allows you to sort the cases by prosecutorial district or by analyst involved.
  • Additional 75 cases - In March 2011, an SBI internal review of serology cases revealed an additional 75 defendants whose cases were affected by the same problematic reporting practices as the 230 cases identified in the Swecker Report. The additional cases were discovered when lab staff hand-reviewed files that had been screened electronically for the Swecker investigation.

The Wolf Memo - Michael Wolf's provided a summary of Forensic Serology Laboratory Reporting Policies from the FBI and other states around 1990/1991.

The News and Observer published Chris Swecker's previous report to the SBI regarding SBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dwight Ransome and related SBI policies and procedures. This report was commissioned by the Attorney General's Office following Ransome's involvement in the Alan Gell case. Recommendations from this report included changes to the SBI's Report Writing Manual, additional training regarding obtaining and preserving documentary evidence, and confirmation from relevant DA's offices that potential exculpatory material was provided in specified SBI investigations.

Strategic Plan for Improving the Medical Examiner System - this 2001 report by the North Carolina Medical Examiner Study Group was requested by the legislature in part in response to a series of news articles that raised concerns about the quality of death investigation in North Carolina. The report provides information about the structure and responsiblities of the Medical Examiner system and makes a number of recommendations for improving the system including improved training, utilization of trained death investigators, and assuring adequate resources for the performance of death investigation and autopsies throughout the state.

Forms

Expert Testimony Evaluation Form - Attorneys may use this form to evaluate the testimony of a State Crime Lab analyst. Attorneys identifying problems with an analyst's testimony will be contacted by the lab to provide additional information.

Case Disposition Notice - this form should be filled out by the District Attorney or Clerk or Court when a case has been disposed of and the analysis of the associated evidence does not need to be completed. Directions for sending the form to the lab are located on the form. It is recommended that attorneys follow up with the listed contact person to verify that the form was received and the pending analysis was stopped.

Other Documents

Greg Taylor Lawsuit - Civil complaint against former SBI agents/supervisors/directors Deaver, Taub, Nelson, Keaton and Elliot filed in U.S. District Court in Raleigh on June 28, 2011.

Derrick Allen Order - copy of the Order signed by Judge Orlando Hudson on March 9, 2011 dismissing charges against Derrick Allen due to misconduct related to forensic evidence.