JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax investigates the major problem that delayed criminal cases in Northeast Florida for weeks.
That backlog was due in part to the an old piece of equipment that broke at the Duval County Medical Examiner's office. Inside the office, critical tests are done that prosecutors and defense attorneys rely on every day in the criminal justice system.
But according to a new document, the Medical Examiner's Office is not accredited, meaning those tests could be called into question.
"The risks are fairly high," said Action News Law and Safety expert Dale Carson. He said the accreditation gives them a more credible voice in the courtroom.
Medical examiner Dr. Valerie Rao agrees. She wouldn't do an on-camera interview, but told us that's why they want the city to hire an outside lab to start doing toxicology tests. It would also give the office its accreditation.
Latest News Headlines from Action News
She said right now, the turnaround time for toxicology tests is 10 days, and the office tests roughly 1,300 cases every year. But in May, a crucial piece of equipment broke, causing a backlog for weeks. Rao's office maintains that wouldn't have happened if they outsourced to this new lab with better, newer equipment.
While outsourcing will cost taxpayers more, Rao said they can't keep doing what they're doing with the current resources. While no tests have been questioned yet, Carson said it only takes one.
"It would trigger a review of all the previous cases handled this way," said Carson.
The ME's office said it has now caught up on that backlog. If the Jacksonville City Council approves the plan to bring in the outside lab, Rao said they could have that accreditation by the end of the year. The State Attorney's Office said no cases have been impacted.
For Action News on the go, sign up for Action News Mobile & Email alerts
WJAX
