DeWine provides funding to crime labs, reduce backlog

SANDUSKY — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has provided an additional $3.4 million to 11 crime laboratories across the state. The additional funding comes after the governor's office created the Ohio Crime Lab Efficiency Program in 2022 to "help Ohio crime laboratories reduce and eliminate backlogs, increase overall lab efficiency, and decrease evidence processing time," according to a press release from DeWine's office. "Criminal investigations depend on the timely work of dedicated forensic scientists and chemists at Ohio's crime labs," DeWine said. "The initial $10 million in funding awarded in 2022 was successful in helping crime labs significantly reduce backlogs, and this additional funding will help labs continue to keep their turnaround times down." The 11 crime laboratories receiving funding include: • Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory • Columbus Division of Police Crime Laboratory • Franklin County Coroner's Office • Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation • Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal Forensic Lab • Ohio State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory • Lake County Crime Laboratory • Central Ohio Regional Crime Laboratory • Lorain County Crime/Drug Lab • Toledo Police Department Forensic Crime Laboratory • Miami Valley Regional Crime Lab