OFFICIAL STATEMENT: State Police Respond to Irresponsible Article Questioning Crime Lab Accreditation

Contact: Shanon Banner, Public Affairs, (517) 241-0955

Agency: State Police

The Michigan State Police (MSP) is responding today in reaction to a Detroit News article written by Mike Martindale that casts doubt on the integrity of the MSP Forensic Science Division.  Mr. Martindale's article uses inaccurate statements and unsupported allegations from defense attorneys to insinuate there may be an issue with the lab's quality assurance.

"This reckless, biased reporting not only smears the good work of our forensics staff, but could have a negative effect on the state's criminal justice system by unnecessarily manufacturing a controversy that doesn't exist," stated Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP.  "Our accreditation was never in jeopardy. The extensions requested by both the international accrediting organization, the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB), and the MSP were for purely administrative purposes; not a result of non-conformance to quality standards. This information was shared numerous times with Mr. Martindale by my staff and the Executive Director of ASCLD/LAB."

Etue added, "Rest assured the MSP labs have been, currently are, and will continue to be fully accredited to provide the highest quality forensic services to the Michigan criminal justice community."

Further, Michigan Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Terrence Jungel and Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Director Robert Stevenson in a joint statement today expressed complete confidence in the MSP crime labs.  Both agencies have "full faith and confidence" in the ability of the MSP to provide this vital service to the criminal justice community.

The MSP Forensic Science Division is a leader in the field of forensic science. The department's labs have been accredited since 1985.