HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 6055

                  As Passed House - Amended

                        March 3, 1992

Title:  An act relating to the crime laboratory system of the state patrol.

Brief Description:  Providing for the use as evidence the reports by or testimony from criminologists of the state's crime laboratory.

Sponsor(s):  Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Nelson, Madsen and Newhouse).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, February 18, 1992, DPA;

Passed House, March 3, 1992, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

JUDICIARY

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Ludwig, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Paris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Belcher; Broback; Forner; Hargrove; H. Myers; Riley; and Vance.

Staff:  Margaret Allen (786-7191).

Background:

In 1970, the Legislature created a drug control assistance unit in the Washington State Patrol.  One responsibility of the unit was to provide laboratory services in analyzing physical evidence from any crime.  In 1980, the Legislature removed the responsibility for such laboratory services from the drug control assistance unit and placed the responsibility with a newly created crime laboratory system, also within the State Patrol.

According to State Patrol statistics, the crime laboratory system currently has six laboratories employing a total of 56 forensic scientists.  Forty-four of those are "bench" forensic scientists who spend the majority of their time working cases, eight are supervisors who spend approximately 25 percent of their time working cases, and four are managers who spend a minimal amount of time working cases.  The crime laboratory system also has an overall director.

Most crime laboratory analysis requests come from local police and sheriff's departments.  During 1991, the crime laboratory system processed approximately 18,400 cases, 80 to 85 percent of which were controlled substance cases. 

Currently, whether a forensic scientist is required to testify in a contested case depends in part on whether the defense will stipulate to the validity of the scientist's written report.  In the majority of controlled substance cases the scientist reportedly is required to testify.

Approximately 3 percent of total forensic scientist time, including all three job classifications, is spent testifying in court.  Eighty-five percent of forensic scientist time spent in court is on controlled substance cases.

The crime laboratory system is funded by a combination of federal and state monies.

Summary of Bill:

In all prosecutions involving the analysis of a controlled substance by the State Patrol crime laboratory system, a certified copy of the analytical report signed by the laboratory supervisor or the forensic scientist conducting the analysis is prima facie evidence of the results.

The defendant or prosecutor may subpoena the forensic scientist who conducted the analysis to testify, at no cost to the defendant, if the subpoena is issued at least 10 days prior to the trial date.

In addition to any other penalty, a court must assess a $100 fee against a convicted criminal or adjudicated juvenile offender if the state crime laboratory performed an analysis relating to the offense.  A $100 fee is imposed for each offense.  The court may reduce or suspend the fee for someone unable to pay.  The court clerk collects the fee, may retain $5 to defray the costs of collection, and forwards the remainder to the state general fund for crime laboratory use.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.