May 12, 2007 11:09 am US/Eastern
State Crime Lab Now Target Of Inspector Gen. Probe
BOSTON (AP) ―
The problems at the state police crime lab are getting the attention of the state inspector general.
Gregory Sullivan's office will look into alleged mishandling of DNA results in about two dozen unsolved sexual assault cases.
Robert Pino, a former civilian employee of the lab, is accused of telling investigators about DNA matches after the statute of limitations expired in the cases.
In other cases, the statute expired before tests could be completed, or Pino wrongly reported near matches.
The new investigation was launched at the request of the New England Innocence Project.
Pino was fired earlier this year and his supervisor resigned under pressure.
A private consulting firm has been hired to do a thorough review of the lab.
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