Nassau crime lab problems, then and now

A national accreditation agency put the lab on probation twice. Among the issues it cited and, in the 2006 case, how it solved them:

2006

* Appropriate controls not in place for identification of human blood.

Response: The lab temporarily stopped providing such analysis.

* Lab failed to conduct and document an annual review of its quality system.

Response: Lab conducted the review for 2005 in June 2006.

* Chemicals used in drug identification not checked for reliability.

Response: Lab established expiration dates and a bar code system to check age of chemicals.

* Two lab balances not checked yearly against an outside calibration system.

Response: Instruments later calibrated.

* Conclusions of racial origin of human hair inconsistent with lab work notes.

Response: Lab temporarily discontinued examinations of hair.

2010

* Failure to comply with procedures on maintaining equipment and instruments.

* Failure to properly document procedures for record storage.

* Failure to properly provide the board with a report of the department's internal yearly review.

* At least five submissions of fingerprints not packaged or under any seal.

* Evidence storage and evidence room found unsecured.

* Technical reviews on blood-alcohol results conducted by a supervisor without proof of training to do so.

* High humidity and leaking ceiling caused water damage to a lab machine.