Pubdate: Mon, 27 Dec 2004
Source: Daily Post-Athenian (Athens, TN)
Copyright: 2004 The Daily Post-Athenian
Contact:  http://dpa.xtn.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1673
Author: By: Ryan Harris, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

PROCESSING OF METH CASES NOT AS LONG: TBI

Processing methamphetamine cases at the Tennessee Bureau of
Investigation crime lab does not take as long as implied at a recent
community meeting, a TBI spokeswoman said.

Methamphetamine cases have taken up to six months to process, General
Sessions Court Judge James Watson said during a Dec. 15 meeting at the
McMinn County Courthouse.

Jennifer Johnson, a TBI public affairs officer, said a six-month
turnaround time would be "unprecedented." McMinn County's complaints
are the first for the TBI crime lab, she said.

Watson could not be reached for additional comments.

District Attorney General Jerry Estes said the average turnaround time
for methamphetamine cases was 18 weeks.

The turnaround time for all drug cases, according to Johnson, is 14
weeks. Methamphetamine cases do typically take longer because of their
complex chemical nature, she said.

Estes complained the slow turnaround time at the TBI's Knoxville lab
has caused his once-stable office to have a 40 percent turnover rate.

"I can't do beans if you don't give me prosecutors, labs and jail
space," Estes said at the methamphetamine meeting.

TBI officials agree the methamphetamine problem has created pangs
nationwide. In three years, the TBI lab has seen a 133 percent
caseload increase because of the drug, Johnson said.

Last year, 250,806 tests were conducted by 67 scientists, according to
TBI records.

"It has created an enormous burden," Johnson said.

Because of the increased caseload, two TBI scientists were assigned to
specifically handle methamphetamine cases in Nashville and Knoxville.
The additional scientists were hired through a grant provided by the
Southeast Tennessee Meth Task Force -- the agency which assists in
local drug cases.

Seventy forensic scientists currently work all East Tennessee cases at
the Knoxville TBI lab. A Chattanooga lab was closed in March 2003,
although no reductions were made in the number of TBI forensic
scientists, Johnson noted.

Some have argued the TBI needs to hire more scientists. The state
agency, however, hopes new legislation will offset the need.

Oklahoma recently enacted the nation's toughest restrictions on
pseudoephedrine, which is a key component in methamphetamine. The
legislation caused the number of methamphetamine labs to drop 70
percent in Oklahoma, according to media reports.

Similar legislation is being considered in Tennessee. Because of the
possible impact of the new law, Johnson said the TBI is cautious of
hiring hordes of new help.

"The TBI doesn't want to add a large number of forensic scientists
only to see the number of meth labs plummet," Johnson explained.

If new laws fail to slow down the methamphetamine epidemic, then local
officials may have to pay for the TBI lab services, Johnson suggested.

"We are going to have to look at every avenue," she said. "The state's
fiscal climate is not good."

Access to the TBI lab is paramount for prosecutors, according to
Assistant District Attorney Richard Newman.

Scientific evidence is needed to ensure methamphetamine cases are
prosecuted in court, he said.

While most samples sent to the TBI lab are proven to be narcotics,
other substances such as talcum powder, sugar and bread crumbs have
been returned.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin