Representatives from Utah state government, the Department of Public Safety, Iron County law enforcement agencies and Cedar City government recently gathered to commemorate the opening of the new southern Utah branch of the state crime lab. The new lab will provide employment opportunities in rural Utah. Additionally, it will expand and enhance the forensic services provided not only regionally, but throughout the statewide system.
“I am proud to join the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, members of our legislature and representatives from local law enforcement for this event,” said DPS Commissioner Jess L. Anderson. “Today, the Department of Public Safety’s State Crime Lab, which is the only accredited, full-service forensic service provider in Utah, completes our statewide system with a northern, central and now southern crime lab.”
The new crime lab will contribute to DPS’ mission of Keeping Utah Safe in many ways. The local region will certainly benefit from the physical presence of additional forensic scientists. And the statewide system will benefit, too, as the additional crime lab staff members can assist with the analysis of case work anywhere in the state.
With this lab, DPS will be able to provide more and better service at a local level—all around. Evidence submissions will be more convenient for law enforcement agencies. DPS will have experts in the community and available for in-person case consultations. As cases get more complex and there are more disciplines and other types of analyses available at this lab, those case consultations will be essential to providing the best service possible.
DPS will also have the opportunity to bolster crime scene response with local analysts in the community. The lab will enable DPS to continue developing future forensic scientists as the department builds on relationships with regional universities SUU and Dixie State.
The lab will not only close the geographical gap between southern Utah and the central lab, but it will also concentrate the forensic expertise in the community—for both forensic analysis and courtroom testimony. A significant change will be the fact that the individuals doing the work at this lab will be the ones testifying in the court cases.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Senator Don Ipson discussed how when the new lab is fully staffed, it will help to significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to process many cases.
“I think the opening of the southern Utah crime lab is going to be a tremendous benefit and asset to the entire southern Utah community, especially victims of crime,” said Iron County Attorney Chad Dotson. “Modern day prosecutions require the highest standards of scientific and forensic evidence. The evidence that’s going to be processed here in this lab will be critical in both identifying suspects to be held accountable as well as exonerating the innocent.”
After discussing the reduction in time to process evidence and the consultations that the lab’s forensic scientists will be able to provide, Dotson concluded his remarks by saying, “It has been said that the wheels of justice turn slowly but they grind exceedingly fine. In my experience, this is true. But with the opening of this new crime lab, it is my hope that the wheels of justice will turn a little bit more quickly but continue to grind fine.”
Additionally, Cedar City Police Chief Darrin Adams expressed collective appreciation for the new lab on behalf of the local law enforcement agencies.
Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox concluded the press conference, saying, “These are the types of investments that I want to see more of, that I think you can expect more of. That the resources that have historically just been along the Wasatch Freont will be available to the people here [in rural areas.] Justice delayed is not justice served. That’s true, by the way, whether you’re guilty, but it’s especially true if you’re innocent. Having the new state of the art crime lab in southern Utah shows our commitment to public safety and law enforcement.”
Republished courtesy of Utah DPS. Photo: Crime Lab Director Amy Lightfoot shares information about the new lab with Lt. Governor Henderson and Senator Ipson. Credit: Utah DPS