NY IG: State Forensic Analyst Falsified Test Results

New York, NY —

A New York State crime lab where a forensic analyst falsified test results for 15 years has called into question hundreds of closed criminal cases, and the standards for forensic testing itself.

An Inspector General's report says not only was the analyst unqualified to perform his job, but his supervisors aided his deception. The Innocence Project's Eric Ferrero says without clear oversight, cases like this can continue: "Right now there are no national standards for what kind of science can be used in the criminal justice system and how that science should be used, how the testing has to be done -- there need to be. And this report in New York underscores the need."

The Innocence Project is asking Congress to create a Federal Office of Forensic Science. It would set standards and regulate training and supervision for crime labs.

The state police say the violations cited in the report are alarming and they plan to hire an outside expert to audit the lab.