A D.C. crime lab recently lost its accreditation through alleged acts of concealment, according to a suspension letter obtained by WTOP Radio. The story, which began when federal prosecutors opened an audit into the handling of ballistics evidence recently culminated with the temporary revocation of the lab’s accreditation.
The story was first brought to the public’s attention last year by WTOP reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Documents obtained by the radio station indicate that prosecutors are using outside experts to reexamine every bit of ballistics evidence handled by the lab.
The lab reportedly plans to appeal the suspension of its accreditation, according to the report.
WTOP is reporting that the suspension is linked to an audit of the lab which was conducted by independent forensic experts last month.
The report authored by D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine said the lab has “deliberately concealed information from the ANAB assessment team, violated accreditation requirements, engaged in misrepresentations and fraudulent behavior, and engaged in conduct that brings ANAB into disrepute.”
According to WTOP, the lab’s accreditation suspension is temporary, but the board is “initiating the process,” for a complete withdrawal of the lab’s accreditation.
The lab, which opened in 2012, has come under scrutiny in the past. In 2015, the ANSI National Accreditation Board ordered the lab to suspend all DNA analysis after concluding that the lab’s procedures were “insufficient and inadequate.”
