Valuable crime lab

In the fight against crime in Southeast Missouri, the regional crime lab is an important tool for law enforcement agencies.

Its new director, Pamela Johnson, knows the region and the importance the crime lab has in helping local law enforcement solve cases. Johnson has worked at the lab since 1973 and recently took over as director after serving in an interim position.

During her years at the lab, she has worked to bring the lab up to a state-of-the-art facility. Future plans include moving the Southeast Missouri State University's Law Enforcement Academy into the facility as well as offering autopsies and pathology only available in Farmington, Mo.

The crime lab handles evidence and cases for 90 agencies in 20 counties around the region. Since its founding in 1969, the lab has moved from a three-bedroom house at the edge of campus to a location on Ellis Street that offers more space for equipment which aids in crime-solving work.

Crime labs get most of their funding from the federal government, which set up the labs after getting pressure from courts that were overloaded by drug cases. The lab also receives state money as part of its budget. The majority of equipment is purchased from funds provided by government grants as well as income the lab generates through fees.

The lab provides quick results for departments trying to solve crimes. The lab can process DNA, test evidence for fingerprints and ballistic testing.

If the regional crime lab were not here to serve Southeast Missouri, the evidence collected at crimes would have to be sent to Jefferson City for testing.

The work of the crime lab is essential for Southeast Missouri's crime fighters and its staff work to make sure that their work is as effective and advanced as possible.