In 2011 the Massachusetts stripped of its accreditation. This also resulted in the lab losing its access to CODIS, the FBI database that lists over 12 million offender profiles. With a 12,000 case backlog, the state lab was in crisis.

In 2013, a 17-person committee was made to address the backlog and the state lab underwent a change of leadership. The lab was able to make new hires as well as outsource some work, additionally, a case management department and a quality assurance department were created.

The lab also obtained new technology, which helps increase efficiency. The lab has been re-accredited, which gives the lab access to CODIS again, and the backlog is down to 1,700 cases. The two to three year case turnaround has now been reduced to 60 days.

Read on, here.