OSBI Backlog

Saturday, December 16th 2006, 8:53 pm

By: News On 6

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is constantly battling to keep up with crime in communities throughout the state. Now, the lab has a backlog of more than 500 cases, which means law enforcement, victims and families are forced to wait weeks and months for crucial answers.

OSBI officials say part of the problem is about a dozen new scientists have completed training in the past two years, then left for other positions. They say that's a significant investment of time and money lost.

"Typically it is going to take about two years to get somebody completely trained where they are a fully qualified forensic biologist,â€ said Ryan Porter with the OSBI.

Currently there are only two scientists who have completed the OSBI's two-year training program. Seven more scientists have yet to be certified.