KGMI News

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – The people who run our state’s Toxicology Laboratory say they need more money from Olympia.

Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney Dave McEachran is the Chairman of the Forensics Investigations Council.

He says that while the lab’s caseload has soared its funding has been stagnant.

McEachran says the number of DUI tests in vehicular homicide and vehicular assault cases increased by 79% over the past five years, while over all submissions to the lab were up 45%.

That’s hurt investigations as the lab’s turnaround time went from 16 days in 2016 to 57 days in 2017.

McEachran says he thinks some of the revenue the state is getting from legalized marijuana should be used to help fund the lab.