Wilmington forensic crime lab in jeopardy

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Police Department’s crime lab could be in trouble if it doesn’t find a new source of funding. The internationally accredited lab serves six counties in our area.

“Without the necessary funding, we really run the risk of losing this incredible resource,” said District Attorney Ben David.

The internationally accredited forensic crime lab at Wilmington Police headquarters isn’t your high school science lab.

“We have two sections where we do testing, blood alcohol for primarily DWI-related cases, and then controlled substance testing, which is seizures of pills, powders, plant materials,” said forensic lab director Bethany Pridgen.

The lab has been around since 2009. Pridgen says it takes them ten to 21 days to complete testing.

If sent to a state or private lab, it could take up to a year.

“Since the volume has increased, there’s a lot of work to go around. So we hope that by being here, we’re actually reducing some of the work that the state lab has to do,” said Pridgen.

A state grant funds the lab, but that grant is being phased out over the next year.
District Attorney Ben David says if the lab does not get the funding it needs, evidence will have to be sent to Raleigh for testing.

“We need to have someone come and testify about those results. That’s a four hour trip. And when we have hundreds of these cases every year, it’s important that we have a witness that’s five minutes away and not 4 hours away,” said David.

And Pridgen says that’s not the only issue.

“If an analyst is required typically from a private or state lab, then they have to move that case into superior court which would require not just those parties but also a jury,” said Pridgen.

So far, New Hanover and Pender counties have agreed to continue funding the lab, but it is not enough to sustain it without the state grants.

David is urging state legislators to keep the lab running.