Science Thursday: 4000 Drug Cases Under Review in Nassau County, NY

Four thousand drug cases must go under review as a result of errors at a drug lab inin Nassau County, New York’s drug lab, the scientific community discusses the implications of a novel forensic phenotyping technique and South Africa’s toxicology backlog obstructs justice in the country. Here’s a roundup of forensic news:

Nassau County’s District Attorney has requested the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate problems that lead to the

closure of the crime laboratory’s drug section

. As a result of the closure, 4,000 cases must

go under review

.

Science magazine covers the

ethical and legal issues surrounding forensic phenotyping

, the practice of using DNA to determine a person’s skin color, eye color, or physical appearance.

The West Virginia state legislature is

considering a bill

to designate Marshall University as the state’s official laboratory for DNA typing, testing and research.

A Washington Post editorial

supports the creation of a crime laboratory

that reports to the mayor rather than to the police.

South Africa’s national crime laboratory has a

10-year backlog

of toxicology cases.

The Laboratory Accreditation Board has issued a statement

denying


responsibly

for problems at the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.