New Yakima Valley Crime Lab Accelerates Evidence Processing for Detectives
The Yakima County Sheriff’s Office in Zillah, Washington, has unveiled a new regional crime laboratory aimed at expediting evidence processing and assisting detectives in their investigations. The Yakima Valley Local Crime Lab, a collaborative effort between the Yakima Valley Conference of Governments (YVCOG) and several Valley police agencies, aims to reduce processing time from days and weeks to mere hours, ultimately aiding in the identification of suspects and establishing connections between crimes before leads go cold.
According to Vicki Baker, YVCOG’s deputy director and a former county commissioner, the key advantage of the crime lab is its efficiency in speeding up the investigative process. It is important to note that the Yakima Valley Local Crime Lab does not replace the Washington State Patrol’s crime lab; rather, it complements it by addressing any potential backlogs that may exist. The lab enables investigators to swiftly obtain information that would normally be delayed due to processing queues at the state lab.
Already, the lab has made a significant impact. Area police have been able to input shell casings into a national network, using computer algorithms to determine if the markings on a casing match casings found at other crime scenes. This capability has significantly enhanced the ability to connect various criminal activities.
The idea for a regional crime lab originated from a discussion between local police officials and Chris Wickenhagen, YVCOG’s executive director, regarding the need for equipment to input shell casing data into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). As the cost of the machine was prohibitively high for individual departments, the notion of pooling resources through the YVCOG emerged as a solution.
The initial concept of a NIBIN machine eventually evolved into a full-fledged crime lab capable of handling additional tasks, such as rapid DNA testing, extracting information from cellphones and digital devices, and providing comprehensive data analysis. The lab aligns with the collaborative efforts of county and local police agencies to combat domestic violence and crime, according to Wickenhagen.
The Yakima County commissioners have approved a $2.8 million contract, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, to support the establishment of the lab. Additional grant funding is being sought by YVCOG to further enhance the lab’s capabilities. Several police departments, including those of Grandview, Granger, Mabton, Moxee, Selah, Sunnyside, Tieton, Toppenish, Union Gap, Wapato, and Zillah, are actively participating in the initiative alongside the sheriff’s office.
Yakima officials, however, decided against participation, arguing that the lab would duplicate services already provided to or by the city. It is important to emphasize that the Yakima Valley Local Crime Lab does not seek to replace the state crime lab. To ensure legal admissibility, all test results are subject to verification by state lab technicians. Nevertheless, local testing enables investigators to promptly gather crucial information for ongoing cases, as well as prioritize the evidence sent to the state lab.
In addition to ballistic testing equipment, the crime lab is equipped to conduct rapid DNA tests, which help identify or eliminate individuals as suspects. The lab also possesses the capability to copy and examine cellphone data—a crucial aspect, considering the rising prominence of mobile devices in crime scenes. Kathy Geil, the manager of the Yakima Valley Local Crime Lab, stated that through the local access to NIBIN, potential matches can be identified within two hours—a significantly shorter timeframe compared to the delivery and examination of casings by a state lab.
The lab’s establishment is expected to address the prolonged wait times experienced by prosecutors, who currently have to wait six to eight months for evidence needed to file charges and take cases to trial. Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney Joe Brusic emphasized the positive impact the crime lab will have on the criminal justice system.
In conclusion, the new Yakima Valley Local Crime Lab promises to revolutionize evidence processing and accelerate investigations for detectives in the region. By leveraging advanced technology and improving efficiency, the lab will play a crucial role in identifying suspects, linking crimes, and making communities safer.
