CSI San Bernardino

According to the Riverside Press-Enterprise, the San Bernardino County Crime Lab has a new director, Steve Johnson. And he has his work cut out for him.

DNA samples continue to stack up, with not enough trained analysts and not enough space to fit the experts the department would like.

A long-planned new crime lab is on hold as the budget picture gets bleaker.

But there are things that Johnson would like to do.

Since taking over this month, the 55-year-old has sent two of his examiners for specialized DNA and firearms training, and let administrators know that more space and more employees still are a priority....

Walking around his new lab, Johnson pointed out the increasing use of robotics to extract DNA samples and the need for a larger covered area to test-fire weapons.

He said he hopes to soon have the ability to get into the backlog of DNA cases and test more guns than just the ones tied to the highest-priority cases.

More here.