HANCOCK II WOULD FORCE CRIME LAB TO MAKE LARGE CUTS, DIRECTOR SAYS

State budget cuts that would come with passage of Amendment 7, would force the Southeast Missouri Regional Crime Lab to cut some services and not start new ones for area law enforcement agencies.

Only about 40 percent of the lab's budget comes from the state, and the rest comes from agencies and local governments in a 21-county area.

Previous cuts or needs for expansion have placed longtime Director Bob Briner on the road, appealing to governmental bodies in his counties for funds.

But this time, Briner doubts he could even begin to make up the revenue shortfall Amendment 7 would create.

"We have had some tough cuts over the years, but this would be the worst ever," he said. "I don't think our local government agencies can pick up this slack."

Briner, who has been director of the crime lab since 1971, said the lab is headed for a record year and will surpass the 1989 mark of 2,500 cases by several hundred.

The lab is planning to expand its services into the field of DNA testing, but a loss of funds would force that to be stopped.

Briner said not only is he concerned about cuts that would have to be made at the lab, but also by other state law enforcement agencies.

When huge cuts are made in budgets, Briner said there is no way to avoid cutting back on personnel, especially in law enforcement.

"This is the most serious threat we have had since I've been here," he said. "I'm really concerned about it for the future of this lab."

Several regional crime labs would be affected, and Briner points out it wouldn't be possible for the highway patrol's lab in Jefferson City to pick up all the slack.

Cutting back on crime labs will make it difficult for prosecutors to make their cases, and lab work that is done will take much longer to get back, Briner said.

"I am not trying to make threats, but I want to be realistic," he said. "Where will people go to get these services that will be cut?"