Crime lab director won't have to go to court after all
The head of the Illinois State Police crime lab was excused from coming to court Wednesday after authorities pledged to work closer together to resolve a backlog in test results.
Earlier this month, DuPage Circuit Judge John Kinsella subpoenaed the lab director in an Aurora drunken driving case in which officials still were waiting for results of a blood test nearly seven months after the repeat offender's most recent arrest.
Some lawyers estimate a four- to six-month wait for results in cases such as DUI and narcotics where a suspect's blood is tested. Kinsella, citing a recurring theme, had ordered Director Scott Jensen to appear before him to explain the backlog.
Afterward, state officials promptly produced test results in the Aurora case. Kinsella agreed to quash the subpoena. To avoid a similar issue, Jensen also asked prosecutors to help the lab prioritize cases based on their importance.
Tests on DNA, toxicology, firearms, latent prints and tool marks routinely are conducted in private, county and state crime labs. But, in Illinois, only the state police test blood.
That testing occurs at two facilities in Springfield and Westchester.
State police officials said their turnaround should be about 75 days, but they acknowledged a backlog of 1,230 cases as of Dec. 31 due to an increase in cases. They estimate the backlog to decrease after three newly hired scientists complete their training later this year.
Prosecutors said some of the delay also may be attributed to local police agencies since state crime lab officials first give them the test results, which later are forwarded to the state's attorneys office for prosecution.
If the delayed test results continues, authorities warned prosecutors may be forced to drop charges because criminal defendants have a right to go to trial within 120 days. Illinois secretary of state officials also need the results to determine license suspensions.
Meanwhile, the case against the Aurora motorist continues. John D. Slattery, 41, is facing his seventh DUI arrest for a June 19 traffic stop on the city's far east side. Slattery may be sentenced to six to 30 years in prison if convicted because of his criminal history.