State police forensic services in jeopardy.Byline: Rebecca Nolan The Register-Guard Anticipated cuts to the Oregon State Police forensic services division could reduce the number of analysts by more than half should Measure 30 fail next month and grim predictions become reality. To reduce its budget by $3.92 million as demanded by the Legislature, the statewide crime lab system could lose 60 of 107 people, effective May 1, spokesman Lt. Glenn Chastain said. The cuts would reduce the division to 1985 staffing levels while requests for forensic analysis continue to increase, the agency said. The Springfield lab, which currently has 17 analysts, would be left with only three to cover cases in eight counties from the California border to Lincoln City Lincoln City can refer to:
The analysts' responsibilities include responding to crime scenes, testifying in drunken drunk·en adj. 1. Delirious with or as if with strong drink; intoxicated. 2. Habitually drunk. 3. Of, involving, or occurring during intoxication: a drunken brawl. driving cases, and analyzing evidence such as DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. , fingerprints Impressions or reproductions of the distinctive pattern of lines and grooves on the skin of human fingertips. Fingerprints are reproduced by pressing a person's fingertips into ink and then onto a piece of paper. and drugs. And Oregon State Police won't be the only agency to feel the impact of cuts to the forensic division. More than 90 percent of the agency's forensic requests come from agencies other than state police, officials said. Unless voters approve the tax measure or legislators step in to stop the losses, the predicted budget cuts could lead to: The furlough fur·lough n. 1. a. A leave of absence or vacation, especially one granted to a member of the armed forces. b. A usually temporary layoff from work. c. of six of nine DNA analysts currently working in Portland, which could slow evidence processing, increase backlog and delay updates to the state DNA database of convicted felons. The loss of four of six members of the breath-testing unit, which repairs, maintains and certifies all breath-testing devices in Oregon, trains police officers in using the machines and testifies in breath alcohol cases. Layoffs for 11 of 17 latent print examiners and four of five firearms This is an extensive list of small arms — pistol, machine gun, grenade launcher, anti-tank rifle — that includes variants. : Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A
The ability to respond to only high-priority crime scenes to assist other agencies and fewer analysts to provide court testimony. District attorneys may be forced to subpoena subpoena (səpē`nə) [Lat.,=under penalty], in law, an order to a witness to appear before a court. A subpoena ad testificandum [Lat. analysts no longer working for state police to force them to testify with minimal compen- sation. Delayed training in advanced crime scene analysis for forensic scientists and the inability to keep up with technology. The prioritization of violent crimes over property crimes, which could decrease the number of prosecutions and keep more criminals on the street. A reliance in rural communities on private forensic services or the development of forensic laboratories in municipalities, which could lead to increased costs, inconsistent evidence collection and analysis, and the dilution of police services. The loss of resources invested in recruiting, training and equipping personnel laid off because of the budget cuts. A negative change in public perception of the effectiveness and quality of statewide law enforcement. MEASURE 30 More information: www.aocweb.org/measure30/impact.htm Ballots: Due back to elections offices by Feb. 3. Campaign info: Pro: Our Oregon Coalition (www.ouroregoncoalition.com; (503) 230-0922); Con: Taxpayer Defense Fund (www.stoporegontax.com; 1-888-NO ON TAX) Argument for: "Don't tie the hands of the police, (district attorneys) and judges. Don't make victims of many crimes suffer with no reasonable protection." - Charles Williamson, past president, Oregon State Bar Argument against: "Workers across the state are already losing jobs because tax hikes and bad policies encourage businesses to move. Oregon has the highest unemployment rate in the country and cannot afford to lose more jobs." - Russ Walker Russ Walker was a second-row forward for Barrow and Hull. Walker, who scored the second try as Hull beat Widnes 14-4 in 1991 Premiership final, was a tough tackler who combined his career with a job as a mechanic. Now works in the petrochemical industry in Barrow. References , Oregon Citizens for a Sound Economy Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) is a conservative political group operating in the United States, whose self-described mission is "to fight for less government, lower taxes, and less regulation. COMING UP Thursday: Proposed cuts to K-12 and higher education higher education Study beyond the level of secondary education. Institutions of higher education include not only colleges and universities but also professional schools in such fields as law, theology, medicine, business, music, and art. Friday: Proposed cuts to the state court system CAPTION(S): Jennifer Riedel uses an alternative light source to check for stains on an article of clothing at the Springfield crime lab. |
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